BILL LLOYD - Deceased
Bill Lloyd died from bowel cancer on Wednesday 18 July 2007, aged 64. He is survived by his younger brother, David.
Bill was not only a long-standing Warwickshire County Cricket Club Member but also a committed player, umpire and administrator within cricket at grass roots level. He, like his father before him, made a significant and life-long contribution to cricket.
Bill started his cricket journey as part of the William Cowper Street team that won the Aston Schools Cricket Association League in both 1953 and 1954. He progressed extensively during both his junior and senior school days, appearing in the Docker Shield aged 15. On leaving school, Bill played for the Old Nortonians as a guest player, alongside his brother. He also went on to play for Northfield Nomads CC, Triplex CC and Bournville CC.
His trophy collection is both outstanding and amazing, as was his contribution year in year out to local cricket including 33 consecutive summer tours to Devon. Many young players have a lot to thank Bill Lloyd for. His insistence on the game being played both professionally and in the right spirit brought glowing tributes from the many cricketers he has helped to develop. He was a true cricketing gent.
As a batsman, Bill scored 4 centuries and as a bowler, his ability and guile as a swing bowler accounted for well over 1000 wickets. He captained both Triplex CCC and Bournville CCC on numerous occasions at all levels and was still playing cricket for the Bournville Sophists up until a month before his death. Playing highlights include a hat-trick against Ottery St Mary CC on tour in Devon and featuring in a record first wicket partnership of 228 in 1978 for Triplex CCC against Kenilworth CC.
To honour Bill’s memory and his contribution to cricket, a Memorial Trust was set up in his name in December 2007 to help the development of cricket and young cricketers at grass roots level by providing funding opportunities in those areas not covered by the National Governing Bodies, local County Cricket Boards or Leagues. There is also a need to promote a love of cricket in both spirit and application, helping to set standards for behaviour and develop character amongst its participants, something that was very close to Bill’s heart. He believed that the game should be played in the right spirit and that the way the game is played is much more important that the result.
Dennis Amiss, MBE, the former Deputy Chairman of the English & Welsh Cricket Board (ECB) and a former Warwickshire CCC and England batsman kindly agreed to become Honorary President. Rob Ball, himself a long-standing servant of local cricket, a former Chairman of the Warwickshire Cricket Board and ex-Warwickshire CCC General Committee Member agreed to serve as one of the four Trustees.
Gerry Belfield, Eddie Evans and Ken Hoare, three men with undoubted cricketing ability and a vast individual knowledge of the game at grass roots level, made up the four Trustees. Bill’s brother, David Lloyd was appointed Honorary Secretary. Sadly Foundation Honorary Treasurer, Maurice Russell who died on 17 January 2008 was succeeded by Suk Aulak, FCCA, ACA, himself a keen cricketer.