CRICKET: Tributes paid to a true Yorkshire hero as John Hampshire dies at 76

Tributes from around the cricketing world have been paid to John Hampshire after the Thurnscoe-born former Yorkshire and England batsman died, aged 76.
Late Yorkshire president John Hampshire prepares to hand county caps to Azeem Rafiq & Jack Leaning in 2016Late Yorkshire president John Hampshire prepares to hand county caps to Azeem Rafiq & Jack Leaning in 2016
Late Yorkshire president John Hampshire prepares to hand county caps to Azeem Rafiq & Jack Leaning in 2016

Hampshire, who captained Yorkshire before becoming a successful Test umpire and the Tykes president, passed away peacefully at home and surrounded by his family after a long illness.

Yorkshire chairman Steve Denison said: “John epitomised everything that’s good about Yorkshire CCC.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Brave, talented and with a heart of gold he captained Yorkshire, scored a century at Lord’s on his Test debut and became a highly respected umpire after hanging up his playing whites.

“Loved by players and members alike, John capped his wonderful life in Yorkshire cricket as our club president last year.

“On behalf of everyone involved with and connected to the club, I would like to extend our most sincere condolences to John’s wife Alison and two sons Ian and Paul. He will be sorely missed by all at Headingley.”

Hampshire was a good friend of Don Root, the grandfather of Sheffield’s England captain Joe, who posted on Twitter from the West Indies: “Awfully sad news hearing the passing of John Hampshire. A truly great man who did so much for our great game. Will be sorely missed!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Michael Vaughan, another former England captain close to Hampshire, added: “RIP Hamps... Sad sad day for Yorkshire cricket & world cricket.

“John Hampshire gave me so much advice down at Abbeydale park in Sheffield... always with a nice dry sense of humour... he will be dearly missed but never forgotten.”

Jonny Bairstow, Yorkshire’s England star, was another to offer his condolences.

“Absolutely gutted to hear that John Hampshire has passed,” he said.

“A fantastic player and true gentleman. Rest In peace John, you shall be missed!”