A 70-year-long cricket fan, umpire and groundsman from Wythenshawe has been awarded the Official of the Year Award by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation.
Fred Leatherbarrow, a member at Wythenshawe Cricket Club, won the accolade at the LCF Cricket Collective Awards, an annual programme designed to champion those who offer their time to support grassroots cricket clubs.
Currently officiating in the Greater Manchester Cricket League and still umpiring up to four times a week, Fred took home the award in recognition of his lifetime of dedication to the game, balancing his role as an umpire with maintaining the ground at Wythenshawe.
Away from cricket, he also dedicates his time to fundraising for his local church and people experiencing homelessness, which has made him a hugely respected local figure both on and off the field.
Fred said: “Cricket has been part of my life for as long as I can remember and I still love being involved as much as I ever have. For me, umpiring isn’t just about making decisions and knowing the laws of the game. You’re out there with the players and you have an opportunity to encourage them too, particularly the younger ones.
“I’ve always tried to talk to the cricketers and if someone’s done well, make sure I tell them. Sometimes a simple ‘well done’ can mean a lot, especially to a young player. I’m still umpiring several times a week and I love it, so if I can play a small part in helping other people enjoy cricket and keep them coming back to the game, that’s what it’s all about.”
The LCF Cricket Collective Awards invites cricket clubs across Lancashire to nominate volunteers into 12 different categories, including Coach of the Year, Grounds Management Team of the Year, Girls’ Cricket Champion of the Year and Lifetime Achiever. This year, the competition – now in its fourth year – received a record number of nominations, with a higher quality standard of entry than ever before.
Nominations for entries were launched during LCF’s Volunteers Week which took place in June. Following the deadline for submissions, a judging panel of four senior officers within LCF whittled down the nominations to a shortlist, with the winners announced during a glittering on-pitch celebration held at Emirates Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire Cricket Club, on August 4.
Winners were presented with their awards by Lancashire and Scottish women’s cricketer Ailsa Lister, batter Paul Coughlin and fast bowler Ajeet Singh-Dale. They were joined by LCF chair, John Murphy.
Jen Barden, MD for LCF, said: “Fred is a shining example of how instrumental volunteers are to the development and potential of club cricket. For 70 years he has dedicated himself to playing, officiating matches and maintaining grounds, for the benefit of those who enjoy the game week in and week out. He’s made a bigger difference in Wythenshawe and Manchester than I’m sure he realises.
“On behalf of LCF, I’d like to congratulate and thank Fred, all our winners and nominees as well as those who contribute to the game week in, week out across Lancashire, because they each make community cricket what it is – a place of hope, inspiration and belonging.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the brilliant LCF team who work tirelessly to support cricket clubs across the region. To have received a record number of nominations this year is testament to their dedication in celebrating volunteers and their vital work, ensuring they feel a valued part of the wider cricket eco-system in Lancashire.”
Find more information about Lancashire Cricket Foundation here.
