Popular local journalist Mel Booth has been made a life member of the Huddersfield Cricket League following the November Executive Meeting.
Mel’s career in local news circles has spanned over 35 years, starting at the Morning Telegraph in Sheffield before he moved to the Huddersfield Examiner in 1985 as their chief sports writer. As an avid Huddersfield Town supporter it would be a dream assignment and reported diligently on Town’s lows of the 80’s and early 90’s, then success as they challenged for promotion to the Premiership before he covered the turbulent 00’s. Mel couldn’t have been prouder to sign off with his team reaching the ultimate goal of promotion to the Premiership in 2017.
It is of course cricket which our warm association with Mel is best known for and he has provided many years of support in his coverage to the league, even though cuts to the sports team left him covering most local sports single-handedly. He would often be seen, dictaphone in hand, interviewing opposition players to whoever his club team (Scholes) happened to be playing. Watching a bit of cricket before zipping off either to the office or to Huddersfield Town.
Mel Booth (front, centre) captaining Scholes ahead of their first ever Huddersfield Cricket League match away at Hall Bower.
He juggled his job with his club association at Scholes CC admirably and has been central to their success since they joined the league in 1988, captaining them in their first match away at Hall Bower. He received another honour of a Lady Sykes Candlestick for his services to Scholes in 2006 and remains a crucial part of the backroom team at Chapelgate which have picked up two Sykes Cup wins, four Byrom Shield titles along with a T20 Trophy. They have remained one of the most successful ‘newer’ clubs collecting a total of 23 domestic trophies not to mention a Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions trophy ten years ago.
Reacting to the news this week, Mel said “I am humbled and honoured the League would want to make me an honorary life member and I am truly thrilled to accept such a wonderful accolade. It really is something which means a lot and will be treasured.”
The league is proud to offer Mel the honour of becoming a life member of the league and we’re sure many across the league will also congratulate him. Examiner stalwart Booth joins his former colleague, David Lockwood who was honoured with a life membership of the league in 2013.