Obituary - Andy Stephenson

Andy Stephenson

With the passing of Andy Stephenson, the club has lost an Honourary Life member, a fine former cricketer, a great clubman and administrator, and a true Gentleman. 

Andy was frequently known as “Stumper” or occasionally “Bobbie up man”. This alternative nickname was invented by Chappers, derived from a mix of his wicketkeeping style and his former job as a Policeman. 

Stumper first played for the Club in the 1960’s and became 1^st team wicketkeeper for many years and a middle-order batter. He was one of the DTCC team that lost to Percy Main from Northumberland in the final of the National Cricket Association indoor 6-a-side in 1978. Andy scored 29 in the final out of the DTCC score of 94.

Despite his cricketing prowess, it is his significant contribution to the administration of the Club that many will most remember him for. He was Club Secretary twice for substantial periods from the 1970s-1990s. He was also Chairman of the Centenary Committee, a contribution that earned him the accolade of Clubman of the year. 

Stumper was also a keen and frequent tourist with the club to South Wales, organising many of the fixtures. One of the fixtures he organised has become part of club folklore as one of the funniest tour-days. Andy had arranged a fixture against Duffryn and Bryn Coch, who we had never played before. Stumper provided details on how to find the ground - in truth it wasn’t easy as the club had two village names and there was another village called Dyffryn near by. At the start time, we had only 4 players plus Andy on the ground and Stumper’s normally calm demeanour worsened when opener Mike Slater ran out his partner in the first over. Finally, at least half an hour after the start of the game the last car arrived. Instead of changing quickly one of the late arrivals emerged from the pavilion to announce “great- the bar is still open”. This was the final straw for Stumper, who, for once, lost his calm, giving all present an angry dressing-down on application and commitment. The chastened mood quickly turned to humour as Martin Cutler loudly named Stumper “Mr Angry”. An unfair nickname, but one that stuck.

Whilst a succession of health issues mean we haven’t seen Andy much in recent years, we should remember a genuine and lovely man who made a significant contribution to the club we have become.

Our thoughts are with his wife Linda and daughter Julia

Tribute by John McDougal, with stories, reflections and memories from Dave Skinner, Roland Dodge and Graham Hill