
The death has been announced of Harold Shackley, a cricketing legend from the old Cumberland Senior League for his exploits at St Bees.
Harold, who was 83, was a mainstay of the St Bees side for many years when his bowling partnership with George Youdell was renowned throughout the league.
A prolific wicket-taker, Harold might be possibly the only man in the history of cricket who took all 10 wickets in a cup final.
That remarkable effort came in the Burton Cup final at Cleator in 1976 when St Bees were the underdogs against Cockermouth, yet went on to win by nine wickets.
Cockermouth were dismissed for 124 in 21.4 overs with Harold taking 10-52 and then the villagers reached 126-1 for victory led by Gordon McCullough (64no) and Phil Marshall (34).
It was their first win in the competition for 20 years and there was no need to guess the man of the match.
Ken White, one of Harold’s victims in that Cup final, recalled: “He was a class act back in the day and on uncovered wickets back then it was a nightmare facing Harold and George.”
Other cricketers from that era remember Harold as a sporting opponent and a very accurate, medium-paced bowler who regularly took wickets for St Bees.
Harold leaves a wife Margaret, daughters Louise and Julia, as well as three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His grandson Doug Hughes is captain of Cumbria League side Cleator.
The funeral service is to be held at St Peter’s Church, Kells on Monday, May 20 followed by a committal service at Distington Hall Crematorium.