Hampshire Cricket has been saddened by the death of former scorer Tony Weld, aged 95, who passed away peacefully (of natural causes) in an Emsworth nursing home this week.
Tony took on the role of Hampshire’s scorer at the end of the 2005 season before handing over to Kevin Baker in 2014, but that is a mere fragment in what was a long life in cricket, which not only embraced the Ageas Bowl, but scoring for the Australia, New Zealand, South African and West Indies touring teams.
He spent much of his life living in and around the Portsmouth area and, alongside running a shop in Bedhampton, played local club cricket for Emsworth and Stansted Park before taking up umpiring. He had the honour of officiating the first ever Hampshire League match in 1973 between Hayling Island and Portsmouth & Southsea, which the visitors won by 16 runs, despite a battling innings by Portsmouth footballer Harry Harris for the island side.
Having served his ‘apprenticeship’ as a ‘notcher’ in Second XI cricket, Tony went on to score for Hampshire for nine seasons and was the bookkeeper in all the county’s Lord’s finals.
In a tribute, Hampshire Director of Cricket Giles White said: “Tony was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was incredibly dignified and put simply, a wonderful man.
“During his time with us he was totally dedicated and committed to the Club; he was a delight to be around and we will always remember him.”
Tony took on the role of Hampshire’s scorer at the end of the 2005 season before handing over to Kevin Baker in 2014, but that is a mere fragment in what was a long life in cricket, which not only embraced the Ageas Bowl, but scoring for the Australia, New Zealand, South African and West Indies touring teams.
He spent much of his life living in and around the Portsmouth area and, alongside running a shop in Bedhampton, played local club cricket for Emsworth and Stansted Park before taking up umpiring. He had the honour of officiating the first ever Hampshire League match in 1973 between Hayling Island and Portsmouth & Southsea, which the visitors won by 16 runs, despite a battling innings by Portsmouth footballer Harry Harris for the island side.
Having served his ‘apprenticeship’ as a ‘notcher’ in Second XI cricket, Tony went on to score for Hampshire for nine seasons and was the bookkeeper in all the county’s Lord’s finals.
In a tribute, Hampshire Director of Cricket Giles White said: “Tony was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was incredibly dignified and put simply, a wonderful man.
“During his time with us he was totally dedicated and committed to the Club; he was a delight to be around and we will always remember him.”
