Mary Hinchliffe

It is with fond memory and sadness to share that Mary Hinchliffe passed away on Saturday 17th December aged 96.

Fellow KCC legend, and grandson, Stuart Meek says; "it was a pity she did not have one more swing of the bat to get her to her 100, but she had a great knock anyway".

The Funeral service will take place on Monday 9th January 2012 at 12.00 mid-day at Wilford and the 'wake' at a venue to be confirmed.

Mary loved her Cricket as many of you know, and was the doyen of all 'tea ladies'. With her cheery smile she made many friends over the long time she was associated with the club.  She was one of our Honorary Life Vice Presidents having had a husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, cousins, nephews, grandsons and grandsons-in-law all playing for KCC. Some achievement!

Mary was also well known to many villagers from her time serving customers at Pike's Greengrocers on Debdale Lane. Born into the dynasty of the sporting Keyworth family of Pikes, Mary was the daughter of Edgar Pike, an outstanding Keyworth wicket keeper from 1899 to 1929 and the grand-daughter of Andrew Pike who also played for the club back in the 1800s.

Mary married Tommy Hinchliffe a professional footballer with Grimsby Town, Huddersfield Town, Derby County, Nottingham Forest and of course Keyworth United, and much like their grandson 'Meeky' was an aggressive batsman who loved hitting a six.  Tommy died in 1978 leaving Mary a widow for a long time.

Their son, John Hinchliffe, quite naturally also played cricket and football for Keyworth as indeed have Meeky and his cousins Richard and Steve Thomas. To that, add former Forest, Mansfield Town, Chelsea and Northampton Town goalkeeper Kevin Hitchcock who married Fiona, Meeky's sister, and in 1988 set the club individual batting record with 165 not out, an innings in the family tradition that included twelve sixes.

Mary will remain forever part of the history of Keyworth Cricket Club and a person who did much to welcome the wives and families of the players, and encourage a healthy social atmosphere within the club.

Barry Baker
President - Keyworth CC