The League were saddened to hear of the passing of Graham Hinchliffe of Golcar CC who have provided the following tribute.
Graham had a long standing contribution to cricket in Huddersfield, having played for Thurstonland and later becoming a league umpire.
He was a regular at Holmfirth Cricket Club alongside his best mate, Bruce Jakeman. Graham and his wife Beryl became a big part of the club, working behind the bar and helping with afternoon teas, alongside Bruce & Christine Jakeman. It was here he came across Brandon Nash, who later described Graham as his "English dad" - and he would continue to follow "Nashy" through his time at Oldham & Delph.
Relationships were built with the Jones family, stalwarts of Delph & Dobcross Cricket Club - and Peter Gledhill, who helped indulge his enjoyment of rugby league and Huddersfield Giants, treating him to games in the directors' box. He also would accompany Bruce Jakeman and Rob Denton, as they would follow Rob's son Tom - well known for his batting feats for Shepley - in his football matches, crossing the country as he played for Chesterfield, Alfreton and most recently Ashton.
As his nephew Will moved to Golcar in 2009, he would split his time between Delph & Golcar. He joined the committee at Golcar, and found great friendship with the ground staff at Swallow Lane where he could often be found on a Tuesday and Friday morning, spending time looking after the ground, solving the worlds' problems, telling everyone what they should be doing, and the odd bit of crown green bowling.
As well as being a member of Yorkshire CCC, he enjoyed many hours watching Eddie Wilson (current Honley captain) playing for the Yorkshire 2nd XI and Academy teams, and more recently has been doing the same thing with Archie Howson, Eddie's nephew, who is playing for Yorkshire's underage teams.
He was lucky enough to make a number of overseas trips, particularly to South Africa & Australia, catching up with family and those who he had come across in his travels across the Huddersfield sporting landscape. His travels were based on the things that were vital to him - family, sport and the people he cared about.
Golcar Cricket Club have lost a great friend, and we are sure that that also applies to many others across the league, above and beyond those mentioned above. RIP Graham Hinchliffe, you will long be missed, and thought of fondly.
On Saturday 18th April at Golcar CC, a minute's silence was held in tribute
