Micky's Pembrokeshire
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Stan Richards – 90 not out!
There was a special celebration at the Harp Inn in Letterston recently as family and friends gathered together to wish Stanley Richards a happy birthday, including some of his many friends in local cricketing circles, where he is rightly regarded as the doyen of the game.
In cricketing parlance, Stan was 90 not out but still a regular visitor to cricket matches, especially at St Ishmaels, where he once farmed and played for the club as a doughty opening bat. Representing Tish cricket on this special day was Wendy Bradshaw, who does so much work for Tish cricket, and who told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk,
“Everyone in St Ishmaels is very fond of Stanley because he takes an interest in every player, from the very youngest to those who are regulars in the first team. I was delighted to come along today to join him and his immediate family, son Tom and his wife Melanie, plus granddaughters Sophie and Julie.”
Cricket attendance
Also in attendance were Maurice Cole, the president of the Pembroke County Cricket Club, and Billy Marchant, the Hon Secretary, who congratulated Stan on reaching 90 not out before pointing out some of the major events that took place in 1921, the year that Stan was borne. He said that Stan had been a wonderful ambassador for Pembrokeshire Cricket and he was absolutely right! Les Hastings, the Hon Secretary of Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, joined Bill Carne as the others from cricket delighted to share Stan’s special day with him.
Yeoman work over many years
It is worth remembering that Stan first joined the Executive and Finance Committee of the Pembroke County Cricket Club on the 27th April, 1953 until the 28th February 2007, an amazing span of 54 years where he was part of the tremendous growth in the game around Pembrokeshire and helped facilitate that change with his enthusiasm and endeavour.
He became Youth Organiser from 1969 to 1978 and hence his rapport with those who came under his guidance then and are still involved today – and after many years as vice-chairman to the late John Griffiths became Chairman from 1989 to 1983, before handing over the reins to the late Cyril Venables.
Double presidency as recognition
Stan was honoured with the presidency of the Pembroke County Cricket Club from 1998 to 2001, and in 2004 became the only person to be elected for a second time.
Stan was also regarded as one of the better umpires around the county for many years and was vice-chairman, chairman and president of PACUS during his time. He officiated at the Harrison-Allen Bowl on five occasions, as well as standing in the middle for all the other local finals and in matches ‘up the line’, where he was also well known as a top administrator.
Still going strong
And now Stan is a nonagenarian but still going strong. He told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in cricket and still get great pleasure in sitting around the boundary to watch the talented young players in our county.”
Just chat to Stanley Richards for a short time and it is easy to see that at 90 his enthusiasm and love for cricket remain undiminished – and long may he continue to grace the game of cricket in Pembrokeshire!
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