EAGLEY Cricket Club are mourning the passing of former chairman and club stalwart Frank Massey who died on Sunday, aged 72, after a long battle with illness.

He first became involved with Eagley almost 40 years ago at about the same time as he had a career change from engineering to becoming the owner of a newsagents on Sharples Avenue in Sharples, Bolton.

Born and brought up in Farnworth, was an engineer with both Silcoms and Edbro in his younger days and played football for Silcoms in the Bolton Combination.

His enthusiasm for cricket in general, and Eagley in particular, quickly saw him elected to the club committee and when a vacancy for the role of chairman arose, he was the obvious choice.

He took over a club facing a long battle to modernise following years spent fighting to save the ground, and in Mr Massey's 20 years in the role he oversaw a transformation both on and off the field.

Among a number of improvements were the ground being made more welcoming, new changing rooms, and a new clubhouse in 1995.

On the field, the club won the Hamer Cup in 1993 and 2001 and boasted a succession of top players such as professionals Pieter Strydom, Dirkie de Vos, Dion Taljard, Brad White and Ian Mitchell and amateurs Steve Clarkson and Steve Foster.

He retired from active involvement in 2003, but returned a few years later when the club needed a chairman and he remained interested in the club and as involved as his illness permitted.

Eagley president Geoff Cleworth said: "Frank's priorities in life were simple. His devoted wife Joyce, along with daughters Janine, Jane and Carrie and their families were always top of the list, then his business, then his cricket club.

"In all of these, Frank brought boundless enthusiasm and devotion. Many was the time he would man the bar for a function until gone midnight, grab a couple of hours' sleep and then prepare newspapers for delivery.

"His priorities may have been simple, but his commitment to them was limitless.

"Shrewd and sensible, he gave everything to whatever he did, did things the right way and expected others to do the same.

"He became a giant of Eagley Cricket Club over the years and was a type which clubs in general have fewer of these days.

"He will be deeply missed not only by his many friends at Eagley and across the league, but by everyone who knew him."