Radlett’s captain from 1982-85, Ian served the club with distinction on and off the field for two decades from the time he left Aldenham School until he wound down his commitments in the mid-1990s.
Ian was a very effective left-arm seam bowler, unfortunate never to have represented Hertfordshire. His nickname of Loopy derived from the loop on the ball in his early years, though that loop became potent late swing at fast-medium pace as his new-ball skills developed. His prowess with the ball and tireless work as captain and committee member helped the club through some lean years in the 1980s. It was fitting that he was a key member of the Radlett side that at last won the league title for the first time in 1989 and again, as a member of one of the strongest sides ever, in 1991.
Mark Blundell, his captain in those two glory seasons, said: “Ian was a ‘doer’ and a very good club cricketer — and a nice bloke with it. He probably was the last of the old school Radlett captains. He virtually ran the Furnell Trophy, the Herts knockout competition, all by himself for many years.”
Former team-mate Charlie Randall said: “Ian was always pleasant and polite and took a real interest in people to make the club a welcoming place. His enthusiasm for the game seemed limitless, and he was a damn good bowler, capable of long spells. He could get any batsman out on his day.”
After moving with his family to Buckinghamshire Ian was diagnosed with motor neurone disease two years ago and died of a stroke on June 11, 2010, the day before his son Andrew’s 21st birthday. He leaves a wife Debbie and two children Andrew and Kathryn.