The innings of one of the truly great servants of local sport – Clifford Gill – has ended shortly before his 90th birthday.

Clifford’s mighty contributions included more than 75 years’ service at his beloved Sutton Cricket Club, where he had figured as first-team captain, second-team captain, secretary, treasurer, president, juniors coach and ground maintenance man.

Born in Sutton, Clifford embraced the sporting ethos, also playing for Sutton United football team.

He was an accomplished self-taught pianist, entertaining in pubs, for the elderly in care homes and also at the village’s St Thomas Hall.

His only spell away from the community was when serving his country in the RAF, including frontline action in Palestine.

A devoted family man, Clifford had been married for 61 years and lost his wife, Mary, just over a month ago. The couple are survived by two sons, two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Clifford and Mary – a former Keighley Gala Queen – met at Bairstows Mill, where Clifford was an overlooker. He was educated at Sutton Primary School and Keighley Secondary Tech-nical College.

His funeral was held at Skipton Crematorium.