Cecil Fright, an active figure in Berkshire county cricket for many years, has died at the age of 85, writes Dave Wright.

Since the late 1980s, he had held a number of official roles, including treasurer, vice-chairman and chairman.

He was one of the club's only four honorary life members, having been elected in 2011.

He also played for the county's Over 50s team, helping them to win the NCA 50+ county championship in 1987.

He was a very popular and much-respected figure on the Minor Counties Cricket circuit, following Berkshire home and away right up to last

season.

Neil Doody, who succeeded Cecil as chairman in 2014, said: "He was a true stalwart of cricket. He gave his all as player, umpire and official. His efforts after a long playing career in Kent and then Berkshire were the classic 'putting everything back into the game he

loved'.

"An enduring quality to his cricket service was that whatever task or action he agreed to take on, he always actually did what was

required to a conclusion. Cecil will be sorely missed by us all."

The county's performance manager Tom Lambert said: "Berkshire cricket has lost a man we all looked up for many years", while 1st XI captain James Morris added: "Cecil was a fantastic supporter of our county and we'll miss him terribly."

Cecil, who died at his home in Tilehurst last Thursday (January 17th), had also been involved with Purley-on-Thames CC over a long period. He first played for them in 1977 and was a highly supportive member and more recently club president.

For many years he was the Goosecroft Ground manager and almost entirely responsible for the establishment of the pitches, with his hard work and dedication offering excellent facilities for cricket as well as football.

Away from cricket, he was a very keen supporter of Arsenal FC.