Dennis Wadd

It is with great sadness that we have learned today of the passing of YCSPL Hall of Famer Dennis Wadd. 

 

Dennis was the first team scorer for Appleby Frodingham CC from 1962 until 2015, in all completing 58 seasons in the scorebox. His dedication, good humour and meticulousness made him popular with fellow scorers, umpires and players alike. It is reliably estimated that he scored in over 3,000 matches. In the days before computerised scoring, he was noted for his immaculate hand-writing, use of coloured pencils to denote the balls bowled by different bowlers and faced by different batsmen, all with times of the start and end of each innings and wicket falls conscientiously noted. Thankfully, all his scorebooks are now preserved in the club’s archive. 

 

After his retirement at the end of the 2015 season, Dennis was recognised by the Yorkshire Cricket Board and the Lincolnshire League, and the scorebox at Brumby Hall was named in his honour. He was inducted into the Yorkshire South Premier League Hall of Fame on 27th October 2017.  

 

YCSPL scoring manager Steve Ward says; "I owe him a great debt. His knowledge, humour and conscientious presence in the scorebox was missed by all who had the pleasure of sharing the box with him, and his passing will be very sad news for all who knew him. Legend is a word that is easily bandied about; but Dennis was a legend." 

 

Dennis remained actively involved with the Steelmen after his retirement. He remained a cheerful, popular and respected presence at the ground on matchdays. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than the successes that the club have enjoyed over the last two years. Although not present at the game, he received regular telephone updates from Appleby Frodingham's defeat to Woodlands in Sunday's White Rose championship final, before peacefully passing away that afternoon.  

 

In addition to cricket, Dennis was heavily involved in local football, having had a long-standing connection with Scunthorpe & District side Crosby Colts FC. Dennis himself had played neither cricket nor football, but until his 70s had been an accomplished and skilful ten-pin bowls player. 

 

Our sympathies go to Dennis's family and all his friends at Brumby Hall. RIP Dennis.