Tributes have poured in for Colin Beer, the retired Hampshire cricket youth coach and manager, who died recently aged 87 years.
Mr Beer managed the Hampshire Under-19 and 17 county teams in the mid-1990s with distinction, his squads frequently doing well in national competitions.
In his playing days, he was a prominent, tall pace bowler who twice took all ten opposition wickets in an innings, once for Oliver’s Battery in the Hampshire League against Hayling Island.
A civil engineer by profession, he worked for many years for Hampshire County Council, being heavily involved (back in the Eighties) with the construction of the initial phases of the M27.
The firm, often finger bone crushing handshake with which he greeted people, masked Colin Beer’s kind and gentle personality which made him such a popular figure among the scores of talented youngsters he coached.
Among his early ‘pupils’ was a young Tony Middleton, who went on to make 160 Hampshire appearances, having dipped his toes into local cricket by playing alongside Beer at Oliver’s Battery, the club he joined after moving up from Devon, via a short spell at South Wilts.
He said: “I had known Colin a long time, since playing alongside him; my first experiences of senior cricket at Oliver’s Battery.
“He loved talking cricket and had both a passion for and a great knowledge of the game. His coaching message was always positive, relaxed and supportive. A kind and gentle man with a smile for everyone.”
ONE OF THE TOP GUYS
Middleton’s views were echoed by Millfield Mark Garaway, who went on to become England analyst in Duncan Fletcher Ashes winning era, after working at Hampshire.
New Milton all-rounder David Wheeler reflected on the “Many good memories of his time with the Hampshire Colts.
“Colin was well liked and respected by the teams, and he worked hard to encourage their talent. He was one of the top guys.”
Colin was married for over 50 years to Ginnie (Jenny) for over 50 years – his wife, a long term and highly respected civil servant, taking on the duties of Hampshire YC official scorer.
Born in Brixham, Mr Beer played his early cricket at Crediton, taking all ten North Devon wickets for 47 runs at Instow in May 1964.
Twenty seasons later, repeated the remarkable ten-wicket feat playing for Oliver’s Battery against Hayling Island – his stunning 10-20 return sitting proudly in the Hampshire League’s records.
The two cricket balls, mounted and engraved with his match figures, sat proudly in the lounge at his Bishopstoke home.
Beer skippered the Castle cricket team for two spells, also playing for Lymington, Bramtoco (latterly BAT Sports) and Locks Heath, where he spent years coaching a thriving junior section.
Funeral: New Milton Crematorium Thursday 30 January 2025 at noon.
Mr Beer managed the Hampshire Under-19 and 17 county teams in the mid-1990s with distinction, his squads frequently doing well in national competitions.
In his playing days, he was a prominent, tall pace bowler who twice took all ten opposition wickets in an innings, once for Oliver’s Battery in the Hampshire League against Hayling Island.
A civil engineer by profession, he worked for many years for Hampshire County Council, being heavily involved (back in the Eighties) with the construction of the initial phases of the M27.
The firm, often finger bone crushing handshake with which he greeted people, masked Colin Beer’s kind and gentle personality which made him such a popular figure among the scores of talented youngsters he coached.
Among his early ‘pupils’ was a young Tony Middleton, who went on to make 160 Hampshire appearances, having dipped his toes into local cricket by playing alongside Beer at Oliver’s Battery, the club he joined after moving up from Devon, via a short spell at South Wilts.
He said: “I had known Colin a long time, since playing alongside him; my first experiences of senior cricket at Oliver’s Battery.
“He loved talking cricket and had both a passion for and a great knowledge of the game. His coaching message was always positive, relaxed and supportive. A kind and gentle man with a smile for everyone.”
ONE OF THE TOP GUYS
Middleton’s views were echoed by Millfield Mark Garaway, who went on to become England analyst in Duncan Fletcher Ashes winning era, after working at Hampshire.
New Milton all-rounder David Wheeler reflected on the “Many good memories of his time with the Hampshire Colts.
“Colin was well liked and respected by the teams, and he worked hard to encourage their talent. He was one of the top guys.”
Colin was married for over 50 years to Ginnie (Jenny) for over 50 years – his wife, a long term and highly respected civil servant, taking on the duties of Hampshire YC official scorer.
Born in Brixham, Mr Beer played his early cricket at Crediton, taking all ten North Devon wickets for 47 runs at Instow in May 1964.
Twenty seasons later, repeated the remarkable ten-wicket feat playing for Oliver’s Battery against Hayling Island – his stunning 10-20 return sitting proudly in the Hampshire League’s records.
The two cricket balls, mounted and engraved with his match figures, sat proudly in the lounge at his Bishopstoke home.
Beer skippered the Castle cricket team for two spells, also playing for Lymington, Bramtoco (latterly BAT Sports) and Locks Heath, where he spent years coaching a thriving junior section.
Funeral: New Milton Crematorium Thursday 30 January 2025 at noon.
