Toast to Trueman as beer passes Fiery thirst test

AN ALE dedicated to late cricket legend Fred Trueman has been launched.

The first bottles of the Freddie Trueman Yorkshire Ale were unveiled by former umpire Dickie Bird at the Copper Dragon Brewery, in Skipton.

Trueman was regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers ever to play Test cricket for England.

He was nicknamed Fiery Fred and became the first cricketer to take 300 Test wickets.

Now, the memory of the Yorkshireman, who died in 2006, is being celebrated with the ale and a bronze statue. The ale was launched yesterday by Mr Bird, Trueman’s wife Veronica and a party of local dignitaries.

Mr Bird said: “It’s a great honour to be able to pay tribute to a character that lit up the game of cricket and I’m sure Fred would have wholeheartedly approved of an ale being brewed in his name.”

Mrs Trueman added: “Fred will be properly remembered and his legacy will live on in the form of a stunning statue and a traditional Yorkshire ale.”

A statue of the cricketer in action, created by Graham Ibbeson, is due to be unveiled next month in Skipton.