A respected cricketer whose proudest moment came when he played in the first team with his son – and daughter – has died aged 56.
Andy Bolt, also a big Huddersfield Town supporter, was a wicketkeeper for Mirfield Cricket Club for 30 years.
Though he was close to Yorkshire county standard as a young man he remained loyal to his hometown club.
Andy, who worked for transport firm Hoyer (UK) Ltd in Huddersfield, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease almost five years ago.
His condition deteriorated, leaving him in a wheelchair. He died at Dewsbury District Hospital on Sunday, November 8.
He leaves a wife Janet, 52, son David, 23, and a daughter Emma, 20.
David and Emma both followed in their father’s footsteps playing first team cricket at Mirfield.
Janet said Andy’s proudest moment came when all three played in a Sunday league game together at Birchencliffe.
The second team had a promotion game and both David and Emma were named in the first XI. A player dropped out at the last minute and Andy was persuaded to come out of retirement.
He took his place behind the stumps while David captained the side. Emma stole the show by taking seven wickets.
“Andy was very proud of that,” said Janet.
David’s first ever wicket as a 12-year-old was caught at first slip – by his dad.
David, who now plays for Mirfield Parish Cavaliers, is currently recovering from a badly broken finger while Emma remains at Mirfield playing in the second team, with the men, last season.
Janet said Andy had been close to county standard in the 1980s, competing with Steve Rhodes who became understudy to wicketkeeper David Bairstow at Yorkshire.
“He was very close to keeping wicket for Yorkshire but at the time he didn’t fit the image,” said Janet. “He had long hair and he wasn’t a pushy man. He preferred to let his ability speak for him.
“He played at a high standard for a lot of years and even though Mirfield were in the second division he represented the Central Yorkshire League as wicketkeeper.”
Janet added: “Andy never really considered leaving Mirfield. He had grown up there and had a lot of happy times there.”
Andy was born in Mirfield and attended Knowl Primary school in Mirfield and Heckmondwike Grammar School before studying at Huddersfield Polytechnic. He lived in Mirfield until moving to Roberttown when he got married.
He worked at Hoyer’s for 30 years, retiring as transport planner almost two years ago through ill health.
He was a big Town fan and while cricket took priority in his playing days he attended matches home and away for the last 10 years.
“The only time he missed matches was when I insisted we go on holiday – much to his disgust,” recalled Janet, with a smile.
“That and when Emma played in a cricket semi-final in Kent. Even then he wasn’t too happy!”
Andy attended his last Town game against Derby last month, calling at the club’s Canalside base before and after the game for a pint as he always did.
His funeral will be held at Dewsbury Moor Crematorium on Monday, November 23 at 10.30am, meeting at Canalside afterwards.
Andy has insisted that nobody wears a suit and cricket and football shirts are encouraged.
Eric Bell, president of Mirfield Cricket Club, led the tributes to a fine cricketer and a loving family man.
He said Andy enjoyed much success with the club in the 1980s and 1990s including a League and Heavy Woollen Cup double and a Jack Hampshire Cup triumph in 1994.
He added: “His loyalty – a rare quality these days – was legend, and his support both home and away for his beloved football club, Huddersfield Town, was unwavering.
“We shall miss Bolty. He was a legend at Mirfield CC and throughout the Central Yorkshire Cricket League.”
