Russ Cuddihy
Saturday July 11th 2020

The club is saddened to report the passing of former player, captain, coach and Chairman Russ Cuddihy at the age of 80.

Russ made his senior debut at the age of 15 in 1955 at Rawtenstall.

Two years later Russ became a regular in the first team.

In the late 1960s and early 70s Russ was the mainstay of the Accrington batting line-up until he joined East Lancs in 1973.

Initially a promising medium paced bowler, Russ developed into a hard hitting batsman.

He was a good driver, very strong through extra cover.

His best score for the club was a match winning unbeaten 84 at Rawtenstall in 1970 when he hit eleven fours and three sixes one of which sailed over the pavilion.

Russ was a good outfielder with a very strong arm.

A good footballer, Russ played league football for Accrington Stanley as a half back between 1960 and the club's demise in 1962.

Russ Cuddihy Factfile:
Senior debut at Rawtenstall in 1955
Took 3-0 v Haslingden in 1956
Put on 162 for the 2nd wicket with professional Bobby Simpson at Todmorden in 1959
Played in 1961 championship winning team
Scored 134 not out for 2nd XI against Colne in 1965
Club captain 1967-1969
Member of 1970 Worsley Cup winning team
Joined East Lancs in 1973
Retired from senior cricket after 1976 season
Scored 4279 runs for Accrington and 831 for East Lancs in the Lancashire League
Returned to Accrington as coach in 1988
Took over as Cricket Chairman in 1997

Russ leaves his wife Moira, children - Daryl, Gaynor and Victoria, grandchildren Aaron, Drew, Alex, Max and Aubrey and great grandchild Axel.

Russ trained as a printer before becoming a brewery rep.

After a spell at EJ Rileys, Russ and his wife Moira then opened Aarods Snooker Club in Great Harwood

He became a sales rep before setting up Elite Cricket Coaching with which he delivered cricket coaching to all ages and abilities from grassroots to seniors and including the Lancashire Blind cricket team whom he took to Lord's to play.

Russ was still involved in cricket until earlier this year as coach of his daughter Victoria's ladies cricket team at Great Harwood along with Jack Simmons

Russ's funeral will take place on Monday 20th July at 12.20pm at Accrington Crematorium followed by a celebration of his life at Great Harwood Cricket Club.

All are welcome to pay their respects.

Due to the current situation, numbers able to go inside the crematorium are limited and those able to come in will be informed beforehand.

Likewise, there will be procedures in place at Great Harwood.

Family flowers only please but anyone wishing to make a donation to East Lancashire Hospice where he was cared for so brilliantly in these last three weeks, can do so via Hyndburn Funeral Services.

The funeral cortege will pause at the entrance of the club on Monday on its way to Accrington Crematorium for people who may wish to pay their respects but are not going to the service

Some years ago Russ did an interview where he was asked to write his own epitaph: 'Play as long as you can because you can't play as long as you want'. Wise words.