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Ex-Lancashire president dies
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| CLUB MAN: Joe Blackledge |
FORMER Lancashire star Joe Blackledge has passed away, aged 79.
Blackledge was born in Chorley in 1928 and played for his local team, at second XI level, aged 11.
He played for his school in Kirkby Lonsdale before going to Repton, where he played House matches, and during his last two years had a regular place in the Repton First Xl.
Joining the forces, he served mostly in Germany and played for an Army team.
On de-mobilisation, he rejoined the Chorley side, and for two years played regularly for the Lancashire Second Xl in the Minor Counties Competition.
Since the formation of the Northern League in 1952, he played for Chorley, captaining the side.
He had the reputation of being a hard-hitting, right-handed batsman and an expert slip-fielder.
In 1962, the Lancashire committee decided to appoint an amateur captain and chose Joe Blackledge - who had no previous first-class experience - to captain the side.
He had a dream debut, making 68 against Glamorgan, but his surprise appointment was not a success and Lancashire won only two matches.
He stood down at the end of the season and returned to running his textile business with his nephew, the former England rugby union captain Bill Beaumont.
Joe stood for and was elected onto the Lancashire Committee in 1987 and served on the House/Ground and Cricket/Finance sub committees.
He was elected a Vice-President in 1996 and was elected President of the club in 2001. He leaves a wife and three daughters.
The funeral will take place at Croston Parish Church on Friday at 1.30pm, followed by private cremation at Southport Crematorium.
9:36am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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