The funeral took place on Wednesday of Walter Goodyear, the former Head Groundsman at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
Walter died in December just 42 days before what would have been his 100th birthday, and following an association with the Club which extended over 75 years as an employee and friend.
Before the funeral, there was a poignant moment when the funeral cortege carrying Walter’s coffin drove into The 3aaa County Ground and stopped adjacent to the pitch as members of staff and a number of the current cricketing squad stood in silence before his final journey to Markeaton Crematorium.
A number of former players were in attendance including Bob Taylor, Alan Hill, Colin Tunnicliffe, Edwin Smith, Harry Cartwright, Peter and John Eyre, Keith Mohan, David Millner and Peter Gibbs, plus former England fast bowler, Harold Rhodes, who delivered an interesting and fact-filled eulogy.
Current Head Groundsman, Neil Godrich, plus two former members of the ground staff, Andrew Lewis, and Steve Birks, now the Head Groundsman at Trent Bridge, were also there to pay their last respects.
Derbyshire was formally represented by several Vice Presidents including Chris Middleton, David Griffin, Vic Brownett and John Cater, and the Club hosted a gathering for family and friends after the funeral service.
