Ian Birtwistle
Sunday March 20th 2016

Ian Birtwistle ©Nigel Stockley

The club is saddened to announce the sudden passing of Ian Birtwistle.

In a career spanning five decades, Ian took over 1,000 wickets for Accrington at different levels.

Ian started playing with the juniors in the late 1950s, working his way through the 3rd and 2nd XIs to make his Lancashire League debut in 1964 against Bacup at Accrington.

A spell at university put his cricket career on hold for a while, but in 1969 Ian firmly established himself in the first team with 49 wickets at 11.2 each.

Ian stayed in the first team throughout the 1970s and 80s until a toe injury meant a spell on the sidelines in 1991. Ian's unusual bowling style with his slow floating deliveries, despatched at the end of a long curving run, earned him 811 Lancashire League wickets for Accrington in more than 500 senior outings. Always trying to entice the batsman on to the front foot to mistime a drive, Ian made an immense contribution to the highly successful mid 1970s team, scoring many valuable runs in the lower order as probable defeats were turned into slender victories.

Ian helped Accrington to cup wins in 1970 and 1986 and to the Lancashire League title in 1975 when every member of the team held a birth qualification for the club. He was first team captain in 1976 and 1977.

Off the field, Ian's contribution to the club, especially the social section was priceless. Ian's wife Elaine is a former secretary of the club and his son Steven is also a former first team player.

Ian's funeral will be held on Monday 4th April 1:15 at St Bartholomew's in Gt Harwood then 2:20 at Accrington Crematorium.

Peter West's Tribute

Tributes To A True Accy Legend