TRIBUTE TO A LINCS CRICKET LEGEND

Brian Evans, from Grimsby, one of the truly great characters of Lincolnshire cricket, and one of our top Minor Counties players in his day, has died, aged 74.
He played extensive first class cricket for Glamorgan before coming over to Grimsby in the mid-1960s and joining Ross Group – a major force in the Lincolnshire League.
He also appeared many times as an all-rounder for Lincolnshire in the Minor Counties competition.
Brian tended the ground at what was later known as Ross Sports in Grimsby, near Peaks Lane, for many years.
After retiring from playing he took up umpiring on the Grimsby panel, which he did for many years.
Born in Glamorgan in November 1936, he made his first class debut in 1958, going on to play 88 first class matches.
As a seam bowler he took 251 first class wickets (average 27, best 8-42) and scored more than 1,500 runs at an average just below 14, with a top score of 62 not out.
Those are the bare statistics. But facts and figures never really mattered to Brian – they were for the statisticians and committee people to pore over.
What he loved about the game of cricket was meeting people for a chat, a few beers and a laugh.
I first encountered him in the late 1960s, or very early 1970s, while watching Lincolnshire two-day games at Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe.
He was the only player circuiting the boundary who would stop for a friendly word with the young spectators, which we really appreciated.
After his playing days were over he travelled widely to support the Lincolnshire team in the Minor Counties East competition.
Members of the press corps, committee members and players all enjoyed his company.
There was a particularly memorable trip to the Colman’s mustard ground, Lakenham, Norwich, with its superb thatched pavilion, when play was suspended due to rain and Brian, and non-playing members of the Lincolnshire contingent, filled in some hours by touring the various marquees to take in a little liquid refreshment.
He then became involved in a famous late night snooker match – back at the hotel – Press v Committee, which ended with yours truly missing...the white ball!
He was a generous man. After getting to know him well, when I put in a Lincs League appearance in the Grimsby area it was often the case that a large parcel of fish would be specially summoned from a nearby freezer “for Nig”.
He’d never take a penny for it, but might accept a beer next time our paths crossed.
Brian was great company with his fund of cricket stories. But he never patronised those he umpired at club level.
For a man who had played so much first class cricket, it must have been difficult, at times, to umpire games (like ours) in the lower reaches of the local leagues, involving players of little proven ability.
So it was that he came to officiate a Lincs League game at Nettleton Mines (when Nettleton still had a team) on a very damp day at Holton-le-Moor. Brigg's opening bowler, the long-serving 'Gig' Smith, had real problems with overstepping the front line (and not just in this match!).
Brian had carefully marked out the crease in a pile of sand brought out for drying purposes. 'Gig' sent down the next delivery and Brian called "no-ball" - resulting in the bowler kicking the sand everywhere.
Grade One dissent? Penalty runs? No, a wry smile just appeared on Brian's face, he looked the bowler square in the eye, and merely said: "Bloody hell, 'Gig' it's not Cleethorpes beach, boy!"
Laughter all round, no acrimony and the game continued to a successful conclusion, with the help and commonsense of both umpires.
About 10 years ago I turned out for Brigg Town in a Sunday Lincs League (div two/three?) game against Grimsby Town 3rds at Augusta Street.
We were not making a very good job of chasing a huge Town total, when “yours truly” (batting eight or nine) decided to chance his arm and somehow scored a quick 30.
“You could get 50 here, Nig – no problem,” said Brian at the end of an over.
Talk about putting the mockers on my innings! At the start of the next I tried to sneak a quick single and was run out by a direct hit from cover. A beaming smile lit Brian’s face and I can still hear his voice chuckling as he watched me troop off.
Sometimes he and I would be on neighbouring grounds – Littlefields and Augusta Street – and meet up for a beer, sitting in the sun outside the former’s lovely clubhouse, with Mrs F assigned to watch the kids!
Appleby-Frodingham Cricket club offers sincere condolences to Brian’s family, says long-serving secretary Ian Armiger, after reading the funeral notice in the Telegraph with much regret.
Ian adds: “Without doubt Brian was one of the finest bowlers ever to play in the Lincolnshire League and a true gentlemen, both on and off the field of play. With the passing away of Norman McVicar two years ago, and now Brian Evans, a wonderful chapter in the history of our league has ended.”
Well said, Ian.
For those wishing to pay their last respects, the funeral service will be held at the R C Church, Chemsford Avenue, Grimsby, at 9.30 on Friday, 6th May. No flowers by request - donations to the St Andrew Children Hospice, Peaks Lane Grimsby.