TONY Frith was York Senior Cricket League's longest serving chairman, a post he held for 16 years, from 1985 to 2000.
During that time Tony, who has died aged 73, was instrumental in getting the League accepted as the top league covering the North and East of the county.
He was born in Lincolnshire, and showing an interest in sport from an early age, he went on t
o play hockey and cricket in Skegness, with a break to serve in the Korean War while on national service.
On his return he met Wynne Emerson and they were married in 1960. They moved to Lincoln where they raised two daughters, Debbie and Susan, and a son Paul.
In 1967 he brought his family to Yorkshire, and as a sales engineer he eventually had business interests in South Yorkshire.
By 2000 he had retired and moved to Doncaster, but returned to York, which he loved, after almost four years.
Whilst Tony played a pivotal role within the York Senior League, possibly his greatest achievement was his promotion of the League within county circles where he made a significant contribution to the Yorkshire Cricket Association. His commitment to the promotion of cricket at all levels subsequently earned him an Honorary Life Membership of the YCA. He was also committed to Joe Lumb cricket and served for many years as chairman of the Yorkshire Inter-League KO.
His cricketing career had started in 1948 when he joined Spilsby Town Cricket Club in Lincolnshire. His leadership qualities were soon recognised and he was appointed vice-captain in 1950.
His association with Tadcaster Cricket Club started in 1968 and continued until 1989 during which time he had two terms as captain, firstly from 1969 to 1971 and then reinstated for a two-year period in 1976 when he led his side back into the first division.
He was chairman of Tadcaster Cricket Club for two years and for seven years he held the same post within the Tadcaster Sports Club, which covered all the sports played at the Queen's Gardens ground.
After he had been League chairman for seven years longer than any of his predecessors and he decided to step down, he was the unanimous choice for president.
Ill health would eventually curtail his involvement. This man with a huge personality – it was said of him that "cricket" ran through his life like a stick of rock – was stricken with motor neurone disease, which changed the lives of all in his family. Typically, he was courageous to the end
Tony is survived by his wife and their three children.
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