Martin Freeman aged 87, recently passed away after a lifetime association with Kirby Muxloe Cricket Club.
Although many of our current players won’t be aware, Martin, a true gentleman and cricket enthusiast played a vitally important part in this club’s development, as a player/supporter and also financially, over many years.
In the early post war period, the club was working hard to re-establishing itself on the recreation ground. At that time his father was Club President and Martin was one of the club’s promising young players, scoring his first century in 1959.
In the early 70’s he and his family played a crucial role in the move from the recreation ground to our present ground on Ratby Lane. Later, as his playing days came to an end, he became Club Chairman and was then Club President for many years. After stepping down from official roles he continued to be supportive (including financially) of major projects like the building of the new pavilion, the later addition of toilet and shower facilities and the major improvement to our net facilities.
He was especially pleased in recent years with the development of junior cricket and the commitment of players who come to the Club as youngsters, develop into excellent players and then become involved in coaching the next crop of youngsters. A pattern that continues and ensures that the Club, which Martin helped to develop, has a strong and positive future.
The club owes him a big debt for his contribution which will not be forgotten.