The sad news was received today that former test umpire David Shepherd has passed away at the age of 68 following a long battle with cancer. David, who remained the president of the North Devon League after his retirement, was known throughout the cricketing world as one of the very best test umpires and, as has been evident by the many tributes since paid, was a much respected man.
For those of us who have visited North Devon each year since 1994, the annual visit to Shepherd’s Post Office was a ritual burnt into the psyche of all tour veterans. The tour bus would inevitably slow down to pay its respects each summer and new tourists thereby became indoctrinated in another tour tradition. More often than not anyone venturing inside to buy a stamp would encounter David’s older brother Bill, another Shepherd inextricably linked to North Devon cricket and good enough, in his younger years, to himself spend a season on the Lords groundstaff.
The last time that many of us will have seen David officiating would have been at the Lashings game in 2007 where he was joined as standing umpire by Bill. It was clear that David throroughly enjoyed the day and, true to form, had time for a chat with anyone and everyone who approached him. The Lashings game in the Instow sunshine seems like only yesterday making it somehow worse to accept that in such a short time David should be lost to the cricketing world, particularly locally in North Devon where I am sure that many cricketers and cricket followers had hoped to share a pint or a chat with David for many years to come.
For those of us who have visited North Devon each year since 1994, the annual visit to Shepherd’s Post Office was a ritual burnt into the psyche of all tour veterans. The tour bus would inevitably slow down to pay its respects each summer and new tourists thereby became indoctrinated in another tour tradition. More often than not anyone venturing inside to buy a stamp would encounter David’s older brother Bill, another Shepherd inextricably linked to North Devon cricket and good enough, in his younger years, to himself spend a season on the Lords groundstaff.
The last time that many of us will have seen David officiating would have been at the Lashings game in 2007 where he was joined as standing umpire by Bill. It was clear that David throroughly enjoyed the day and, true to form, had time for a chat with anyone and everyone who approached him. The Lashings game in the Instow sunshine seems like only yesterday making it somehow worse to accept that in such a short time David should be lost to the cricketing world, particularly locally in North Devon where I am sure that many cricketers and cricket followers had hoped to share a pint or a chat with David for many years to come.
I am sure all tourists would echo those thoughts Seamo. A redoubtable character and a great loss to sport in general and the world of cricket in particular.
ReplyDeleteChilts.
Sad news indeed Seamo. Well done on a fitting tribute to a gentleman you knew very well. That he always had time to speak to you when we were on tour typified the man. He never seemed to forget people or not have time for them.
ReplyDeleteThe game has lost a real character and gentleman at a time when there are so few around.