John Parker

John sadly passed away on 22 October 2020 after a short illness. Yateley Cricket Club (YCC) want to erect a permanent memorial to John at the ground.

John had Yateley Cricket Club running through his veins. He rescued YCC over 50 years ago and built it into the thriving Club it is today. He served on the Committee all those years, firstly as Secretary, then Chairman, then lastly as President. For many years he single-handedly carried out the ground maintenance and pitch preparation. He used to say it was a relaxing way to spend his time away from the politics in the Civil Service!

He was universally liked. On match days he would make a point of welcoming everyone and mercilessly teasing those he was fond of. He was generous and always the first at the bar to buy drinks. He had a monthly standing order donating funds to the running of the Club.

We have put together a photo album, which depicts John over the years. Click the link: John's Photos

John was kind, friendly, witty, always interested in others and of course mischievous. He had a massive impact at YCC and Saturday afternoons in the summer will never be the same again.

John was involved with many organisations: Dept. of Health, Out of Hours GPs, Westfield School Governors, In Harmony, Yateley Choral Society, Gloucester Rugby and so on.

His friends will never forget him and a memorial will ensure he will be remembered for generations to come. We want to make sure it is permanent , not just a bench, which would be prone to vandalism. We can discuss what it can be once we know how much money we have raised, although we will certainly have an oil painting portrait painting hung in the pavilion.