Carlisle Cricket Club is mourning stalwart and popular member David Reed, who died on Wednesday at the age of 84.
David died peacefully at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle with his family by his side.
His contribution at the Carlisle club has been simply inestimable down the decades with over thiry years of service as Head Groundsman alone.
He also played with distinction as a wicket/keeper batsman, initially at Wigton before moving to Edenside, his spiritual home.
Club secretary Mike Taylor said: “I can recall back in 1988 David giving me my first opportunity at Edenside when he skippered the Carlisle Wanderers X1.
“He was always enthusiastic to incorporate juniors into the team and had many stories to tell, all of which kept everyone entertained. He was a real character who will be missed by everyone.”
Reedy, or Bandit as he was affectionately known to his legion of friends at Edenside, gave countless hours of unstinting dedication each week to the club that went way beyond the call of duty. Much of it was unseen but all of it extremely valued.
You could drop into Edenside most days of the week and be guaranteed to find David hard at work, and when you stopped for a chat with him you could easily still be in the same place several hours later.
Always shining through was the knowledge that he had nothing but the best interests at heart of Carlisle Cricket Club and the game in general.
David was an honorary life member of the club and vice chairman, but this barely scratched the surface given the amount of time and boundless energy that he gave.
He was from a rare vintage, a different generation, a true personality that had time for anyone and who has left an indelible memory at a club that is now bereft of one of its finest.
David will be deeply missed by everyone connected to Carlisle Cricket Club and within the wider cricket community, but he will be especially remembered with great fondness by all who had the privilege, honour and pleasure to have known him.
