A MAN who served Nelson Cricket Club as player, chairman and mere spectator over five decades sadly lost a long battle against cancer on Sunday.
Milton Lord (62) had played cricket for the club from 1971 to 1991 and following his retirement, used his administrative skills as the Seedhill club chairman for a further 14 years.
After standing down from that position, he was still a familiar face at home and away games until last year, when his son Tom began playing for Clitheroe and he started to watch him play in the Ribblesdale League.
Over a 20-year playing career, Milton played 139 games with the Nelson first team, scoring 708 runs in 102 innings with a highest score of 47 not out and taking 16 wickets with his left-arm spin bowling.
He also captained the second eleven. Milton’s astute knowledge of the game helped the team to two Lancashire League Junior championship title and also helped develop a talented crop of youngsters into first team regulars who helped the Seedhill club win more silverware.
Club supporter Derek Metcalfe, who reports on Nelson’s games for this newspaper, said: “He was a very good chairman who worked hard for the club, It is a sad loss.”
Milton died peacefully after suffering from cancer for four years.
He is survived by his wife, Norma and children Sam, Sarah and Tom.