The local cricket and football worlds were today in mourning for Ralph Adler. The 70-year-old vice-president on Benfleet Cricket Club died on Christmas Day following a short illness.
As well as his love of cricket, Ralph enjoyed football in the winter and was involved with Hullbridge Sports and Runwell Hospital teams.
"Ralph will be sadly missed because he was such a character," said Benfleet CC's Ron Steed.
"He had the ability to sum up a cricketer's potential very quickly. He was extremely helpful to old and young players at the club because of his knowledge of the game.
"Ralph played cricket all his life until an injury forced him to umpire. He broke his fingers playing and was the only umpire to give out and point towards the pavilion."
Ralph was born in Germany in 1934 but emmigrated to London with his family before the Second World War.
He later settled in Rayleigh with his wife Shirley and had two children, Gary and Karen.
He played cricket for Hockley, Rayleigh and Hullbridge before joining Benfleet in 1982.
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