Cumbria Cricket has lost a respected former official and dedicated enthusiast in Gilbert Johnstone, who has died at the age of 83.
Workington-born Gilbert had battled against his illness for some considerable time, with the same dogged determination he showed as a cricketer and footballer.
Gilbert was well known, both throughout Cumbria Cricket and the National Counties generally, having served on the committee of the county club from 1997 until 2012.
During those years he acted as both team manager and club secretary and latterly had spent a great deal of time researching the club’s history.
Over time his relentless research managed to unearth many scorecards of both the county club and for the majority of the league’s Higson Cup which was first played for in 1923.
Due to his tireless efforts these historical records are now preserved.
A keen footballer in his younger days he played for Maryport and Elliott’s in the local leagues as a tough-tackling full-back.
He was fond of telling the tale when he had to go in goal when the regular keeper had been injured and he went on to save a penalty.
At cricket he played for Dovenby Hall and Cockermouth before moving out of the county to live and work in Preston and York.
Once the flannels were put away he became an umpire, a role he took for some 20 years, both with the Ribblesdale Cricket League before moving to Cumbria and then within the county most noticeably for Cumbria’s Over-50s team.
Gilbert was a keen follower of Workington Reds, where he was a regular at Borough Park, and also of Workington Cricket Club.
He will be sadly missed by his many friends in sporting circles and is survived by his wife Vera and son Andrew.
