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Tributes To Ian Birtwistle
Sunday March 20th 2016

Ian Birtwistle
Ian Birtwistle
©Nigel Stockley

The first time I really had anything to do with Ian was in September 2000 when I agreed to become Stewardess at ACC, the first function I was due to work with Ian I spent the whole day dreading it, I remember telling Mum how it'd be horrible, we had nothing in common and we'd have nothing to talk about......by the end of that night I was telling Mum how great Ian was and how we got on really well and how his sense of humour was so dry and that it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, little did I know that that was the start of what became a true friendship.

Since that day we have talked about everything, from football to cricket to what beer we were ordering to what things were upcoming to what the weather forecast for weekend was all in the space of one conversation that could last anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes.

Ian has patiently stood there and listened to me as I ranted and raved about lots of things, and believe me I can rant and rave with the best of them, when people tried to shoot me down and make life difficult for me he stood behind me and always had my back without once wavering in his support for me.

His love for ACC is well known throughout the league, he was truly OUR legend but he was so modest about his achievements.....he got as much pleasure from watching recent championships and cup wins and the resurgence of Accy as he did from his personal achievements and was always there to advise any current players at any time but he never forced his opinion or advice on anyone without being asked first, and he always had time to talk to anyone about cricket no matter who they were or what he was doing, that shows the kind of man he was.

My love and thoughts are with Elaine, Steve and the rest of Ian's family and close friends who will feel his loss deeply......ACC will be a much poorer place without Ian, on a personal level I have lost my right hand man and my time behind the bar will be a lot less enjoyable now without him alongside me but I would like to thank him for everything that he did for me and for making the past 15 years as good as they have been!

Kim

So sorry to hear the sad news of Ian's passing, such a shock, having known him for virtually 50 years (?) since the time he came home from uni, took 9-16ish for the thirds and was picked for the firsts the week after! His bowling style was unique, even Viv Richards had to take some time to get used to him. I will miss our annual conversations which have continued right through to 2015. Thoughts are with Elaine and the rest of Ian's family at this sad time.

Tony Gallagher

There are not enough words to describe Birty so I will use one LEGEND.  AT ACC today we have lost a man who had ACC right through his middle like a stick of rock. Lost a man proud to class as a friend. Thoughts with Elaine, Steve and family love and prayers to you all xx

Christine Sneddon

I remember when i first came to accrington cricket  club and ian was the first person to welcome me i really enjoyed chatting to him we had such a laugh rip birty u you be missed.

Stephen Brankin

Where do you start with this fine gentleman, firstly he has an outstanding record as a player taking over 800 wickets then became an ever present working the bar and as the club steward. Ian was always helpful especially as a bowler I had many long in depth conversations. He was always the first to congratulate you on a good performance and always good for a bit of banter as well. He will be sadly missed by the players and supporters

James Hayhurst

So sad to hear the dreadful news of Birty's passing. Ian was a star both on and off the field. His work and commitment to ACC was truly  admirable and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. With deepest sympathy to Elaine and Steve.

Malc Taylor

I've known Ian all my life, as far back as I can remember he's been a constant in my cricketing life and he has watched me grow up and move through the ranks in the club.  He was always there for a chat and to offer me advice and encouragement, but he'd also call me out when he knew I could do better.   It was never in a bad way he was just frustrated as he knew I was capable of doing and being better.

We spent many a night after games talking about cricket etc.  He was more than just an old player and legend, to me he was just my mate and somebody I looked up to and I'll miss him and our chats and his support...the club won't be the same without him. R.I.P Birty

Sneds

Fond memories of a fine spin bowler, a great servant of ACC, and a good man.
My kindest thoughts are with all his family  today .

Alan Amos

Very sad to hear of Ian's passing. My thoughts are with all the family.
The memories of playing for Accrington over many years always involved Ian, usually sat in the corner of the dressing room, smoking, wrapped in bandages and passing a well timed, well informed comment. Always great to have spent time in Ian's company and we are all better for having known such a genuine, honest chap.
RIP Ian.

Trevor Hatch

From my early days going down to Accrington with my dad as a 8 year old Ian "birty" Birtwistle was one of my first memories , "dad is Birty a fast bowler with that run up " I asked " no but he s a bloody good one "he replied . Birty was my hero , over the years through watching , scoring and playing we became great friends even ended working with him at Md dairies . If I needed advise Ian was first port of call down at club , always had a smile and constructive advise, in alignment with all the other comments there are not enough words to describe what Birty was to Accrington cc , the players , the supporters etc he was humble and a true gentleman , he was "our Birty " and he will be sadly missed

Len

So shocked to hear the sad news, my heartfelt thoughts go out to Elaine, Steve and the family.   “ Birty” was a mentor and a true friend to me and many others. He was there on my first team debut in 1983 and helped me through every step of my playing career at ACC, always there to share some words of wisdom and most of all always had a friendly ear ready to listen. I had the immense pleasure of occasionally keeping wicket to the genius of a man and was often pleasantly surprised as the oppositions paid man danced down the wicket only for Birty to completely baffle them in the flight leaving them stranded and me with the simple task of removing the bails, the look of disbelief on their faces was priceless. I also remember going through a particularly difficult time with the bat where I couldn’t buy a run and was getting advice and comments from all directions which only added to the frustration . Birty as usual had the perfect comment and put things in perspective for me simply saying “ sometimes Bizzy you need to listen to 100% of the waffle and crap that's talked to get the 5% you really need” . For me this was a sporting and more importantly a life lesson that I have often used and passed onto other , wise words from a true gentleman and a thoroughly good bugger.        

Paul Barratt

What a loss to ACC as a player for over 30 yrs and behind the bar for at least as long.
A terrific bowler, unusual and different. How many pros thought him easy pickings only to succumb to his slow, swinging, drifting away swing?
Over 800 wickets in the Lancashire League and a “Steady Eddie”  with the bat.
Modest, humble and highly respected by friend and foe and so interesting to talk to about Lancashire league players and  pros.
I always made sure I was sat next to him at Sportsman’s dinners to tap into his knowledge and experiences, knowing full well that his comments would be constructive and close to the truth.
Accy has lost a “Top Man”.
Can’t imagine the like of Birty being replaced and, of course, more importantly, deep condolences to his family.

Ian Mac

Shocked is probably not the word to sum up the news which I received today. I had to check the clubs web site to confirm this sad news. I only knew Birty for a short period of time compared to others at the club but it was soon very obvious what a legend he was, just by listening to stories of his cricketing career.
I found Birty to have a dry sense of humour and this often resulted in a few laughs on a Friday night in the clubhouse.  My thoughts are with Elaine, Ian and family. ACC has not only lost a true club man but also an institution. RIP Birty.

Mark Croasdale

Ian and I were teamates in the St.David's Lampeter side of the 1960s, and friends for 50 years thereafter. My abiding memory is of Ian wheeling away, over after over, with that effortless flowing run up and that classic sideways action. He told us that he had honed his method under the coaching of Wes Hall, who had been pro at Accrington during Ian's teens. Not a bad tutor to work with !

I had the privilege of skippering Ian, and he gave his all for the cause come rain or shine. We were in West Wales, so it was mainly rain. Ian got shedloads of wickets. There were not many stumpings - our keepers weren't good enough ! Most dismissals were bowled off stump ( played down the wrong line ), caught at slip ( nearly played down the right line ), and caught extra cover ( driving at the apparent half volley that was never quite ' there' ).

Birty was generally pretty relaxed about life in general but he could get roused if something was not up to his expectations with cricket. When he was young there was a feisty, competitive steak in him. It must have been something to do with the mop of red hair that he sported in those days.

I still recall getting on the wrong side of him once. It was during an evening game against Morris Motors in Llanelli. They had a decent group of players, some of whom had been in and around the Glamorgan 2nd team. Birt couldn't wait to get the ball in his hand. However, there was a gale blowing down the pitch, and I asked Ian to bowl into it. He didn't refuse, he never would, but several of our players told me that steam was coming out of his ears. He took 7 - 19, so I thought he would be happy to talk to me between innings. ' Well bowled Birt ' was my overture. 'If I'd bowled downwind I'd have taken all f....... 10 ' was his response.

Good on you Ian - great competitor, great contributor, great mate.

John Wolfe

So sorry to hear the very sad news about Birty - the inventor of the string ball! Never getting excited until a collection needed counting, he would wade through the copper, single out the silver and separate the Irish, Isle of Man coins and the odd steel washer!

It has been a privilege to know and play with Ian for the best part of 30 years, a true gentleman in every way, a great stalwart for the club and a thoroughly decent man.

Our thoughts are with Elaine, Steven and family."

Alan Worsick 

Ian was one of my two best friends at university. Cricketer par excellence, Mackeson drinker extraordinaire, fag smoker without equal, devotee of Anglo-Saxon poetry, mocker of pretension, sceptic of anything green on his plate (‘I don’t eat grass. I’m not a (deleted) rabbit’), Ian was always his own man. We kept in touch over the years, met up at reunions, enjoyed having Elaine and him to stay with us, and he never seemed to change. Knowing him over more than fifty years was a pleasure and a  privilege.

John Jenkins

 

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