The Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League was saddened to learn of the passing of League Ambassador Terry Bentham yesterday. League chairman Roger Pugh pays a personal tribute to a legend of South Yorkshire cricket:
I knew Terry Bentham for around 40 years; firstly, as a ‘no nonsense’ umpire, with the ability to diffuse a situation with a ready quip; then as an administrator, always ready to fight his corner for what he believed in; and, in later years, as a spectator, sitting on the boundary with his wife, Vera, an ice cream, a twinkle in his eye, and a word for everyone. His was a ‘larger than life’ personality, with strong opinions on a whole variety of issues. I thought of him as ‘Mr South Yorkshire cricket’. There may be some who have done more for cricket in South Yorkshire than Terry, but very few. His commitment was total.
Terry ‘put his money where his mouth was’, in terms of the many hours he put into the game, whether on the field as an umpire, helping new umpires, or on cricket committees at club and league level. He was also a great supporter of juniors and women in cricket. The strength of our league and our umpires panel are in no small part due to the work he has put in for over 50 years, serving in the many different roles that he was always proud to hold.
I respected the fact that everything he said and did, he passionately believed was for the good of cricket in South Yorkshire. I enjoyed his company, his eternal enthusiasm for our game, and his sense of humour that was never far from the surface. I valued his experience and opinions, and enjoyed the challenge when he argued an alternative perspective. I was also very grateful for his unwavering support at a most difficult time for me.
Terry had been ill for some time, a battle that he fought bravely and with a minimum of fuss, never giving in. His passing may have been a relief in the end, but the grief is no less because of that, and I speak for all of us when I offer our sincere condolences to Vera and his family, of which he was so proud. We are all the poorer for his no longer being with us, but richer for having him amongst us for so long.
Terry's funeral will be held at Ardsley Crematorium, Doncaster Road, Barnsley S71 5EH, at 11.30am on Friday 13th February, and afterwards at East Dene Working Mens' Club, 111, Doncaster Road, Barnsley S70 1UD. For those who wish to go directly to East Dene, the club will be open from 12 noon. The family request no flowers please, but if anyone would like to make a donation, there will be a collection at the service, the proceeeds of which will go to the Barnsley & District Junior Cricket Association.
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