Memories of Alf Young

Ken Young Writes 'my Father was a fine fast bowler by all accounts', who was 'badly wounded in 1917' during the First World War, putting pay 'to a promising cricket career'. Alf Young was a 'noted Conference Umpire and a founder member of the Association of Cricket Umpires. When he retired from the Railway, despite a debilitating infirmity, especially in hot weather, umpired an average of three to four matches a week right through the summer. He did not drive and went everywhere by public transport- north, south, east and west of London and Home Counties. He plodded between wickets with the aid of a cabbage walking stick that a grateful government gave him on his discharge from the Army.  It served as a resting support by forming the third leg of a tripod. In all the time he officiated the only batsman to ever knock away the stick whilst he sat was me, during a match v Western Region. A short one on the off stump pulled hard clipped his stick away on the half volley. Dad fell inexorably but majestically with a cry from a long boundary of "TIMBER".

I have kept his Law books, updated year by year in his own consistently meticulously way. His favourite story...a Yorkshire ex-profeesional up for his final interview at the MCC was asked "There's an appeal for LBW. If there is a doubt, to whom would you give the beneifit, the bowler of the batsman", his reply won the day..."When I umpire there is no f-----g doubt". Story no.2 One match was marred by some vociferous appeals for LB, not just the bowler and keeper, but mid-wicket. When this gentelman came in to bat and asked Dad for a guard, Dad walked sedately to mid-wicket and gave him his guard. Inevitably the bat asked for a guard over the stumps, to which Dad reminded that he had been appealing from mid wicket Quad erat demonstrandum! Once the point was taken, Dad walked back and did his proper duty.'