TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘legend’ of South Yorkshire cricket after he died aged 87 this week.
Terry Bentham began umpiring in the county in 1975 and was the secretary at Darfield Cricket Club during one its most successful periods between 1981 and 1989.
He was elected to the South Riding Cricket League committee in 1991 before it became the South Yorkshire Senior Cricket League 11 years later.
Terry served as the chairman and the chief executive of the organisation in spells.
He leaves behind his wife Vera, children Dale and Jayne, grandchildren Josh, James and Poppy and great-granddaughter Reya.
He died on Sunday following a battle with illness.
Tributes has poured in from across South Yorkshire following his death.
A spokesperson for Darfield Cricket Club said: “Terry played a huge part at our cricket club and the support he has given us over the years has been unreal.
“We will miss him beeping the horn in the car park because the side gate wasn’t open for him and his wife to park in their usual place when they came to watch cricket.
“Terry lived and breathed cricket for years and was always on the end of the phone if we needed help.
“Our love goes out to all Terry’s family at this sad time.
“Rest In peace Terry and thank you for everything you did for our club, you will be missed.”
Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League chairman Roger Pugh paid a personal tribute to Terry.
He said: “I knew Terry for around 40 years; firstly, as a ‘no-nonsense’ umpire, with the ability to diffuse a situation with a ready quip, then as an administrator, always ready to fight his corner for what he believed in; and, in later years, as a spectator, sitting on the boundary with his wife, Vera, an ice cream, a twinkle in his eye, and a word for everyone.
“His was a larger-than-life personality, with strong opinions on a whole variety of issues.
“I thought of him as ‘Mr South Yorkshire Cricket’.
“There may be some who have done more for cricket in South Yorkshire than Terry, but very few.
“His commitment was total.
“I respected the fact that everything he said and did, he passionately believed was for the good of cricket in South Yorkshire.
“I enjoyed his company, his eternal enthusiasm for our game, and his sense of humour that was never far from the surface.
“I valued his experience and opinions, and enjoyed the challenge when he argued an alternative perspective.
“I was also very grateful for his unwavering support at a most difficult time for me.
“Terry had been ill for some time, a battle that he fought bravely and with a minimum of fuss, never giving in.
“His passing may have been a relief in the end, but the grief is no less because of that, and I speak for all of us when I offer our sincere condolences to Vera and his family, of which he was so proud.
“We are all the poorer for his no longer being with us, but richer for having him amongst us for so long.”
