It is with great sadness that Calmore Sports Club announces the passing of Mr. Alan Rimmington – always known as ‘Yorkshire Alan’ – following a battle with cancer.
“Calmore Sports’ Number 1 Fan”, as he was often referred as well, Alan became a regular fixture at both home and away 1st XI games ever since he turned up looking for a game to watch back in 2018 from his native Rotherham in South Yorkshire while visiting friends.
Although only a part of the Calmore Sports family for a short time, his impact was huge and his passing had been deeply felt throughout the club.
Sadly, across the winter, cancer had taken a hold and had spread to other parts of his body, resulting in him being moved to the Countess Mountbatten Hospice in Southampton, where he was put into end of life care.
He passed away in the early hours of Friday morning (24 February), only a few hours after being visited by club Chairman Pete Lavelle and his son and former 1st XI captain Mark.
The Chairman takes up the story.
“I give him the title of Number 1 Fan because that’s what he fondly became known as around the club and that’s what he was.
“I remember the day he first arrived at Loperwood in 2018. He was down staying with Lesley and Stewart, his close friends, who also became part of the Calmore family. He arrived wanting to watch a game of cricket, he initially turned up at Paultons and bumped into Jim Redman who pointed him in our direction.
“Paultons 2nds were at home and Jim knew our 1st team were at home that day, and that would be a better game of cricket to watch. How lucky we were the fixtures fell as they did and, as they say, the rest is history.
“He walked in to the ground and with his broad Yorkshire accent, which we all came to love, he asked if the game was on and could he come in and watch. ‘Yes’, I replied and he then asked where he had to pay to watch the game … which straight away told me he was a good guy and someone who would return.
“My assumption was correct and Alan then adopted us as his club, he was happy to be part of the Calmore family so much so that he travelled down from his home town of Rotherham every weekend regardless of the weather conditions, or if the game was in jeopardy he still travelled!
“I have many a happy memory of sitting with Alan on our favourite bench at the club or our time spent in the car travelling to away games.
“It didn’t take long for Alan to start mucking in around the club and he would often on a Saturday be doing something, stocking up the bar, cleaning the toilets, putting out the patio furniture or any of the other jobs that needed doing to get the club ready for the game.
“Alan always had the club in his heart and even yesterday (Thursday) when Mark and myself went to see him, he asked how the clubhouse was drying out and how the ground was looking and he let us know in his normal way that he was not happy with us playing with a white ball!
“It was not just cricket for a stoic Yorkshireman! He had three main sporting loves in his life – fishing, Rotherham Titans Rugby Club and, of course, Calmore Sports and I couldn’t tell you which order they were in as I’m sure he loved them all with the same amount of passion.
“To finish – my two most favourite memories although there were a lot more was the way Alan became an expert on the LBW law from side on 😊 and the way he was Clare’s security guard should anyone dare to walk in front of the scorer whilst play was going on.
“God bless you Alan. Rest in peace you will be sadly missed.”
Former Calmore 1st XI captain Mark Lavelle offered his tribute as well.
“There isn’t enough superlatives to describe Alan’s commitment to supporting the 1st team in the five seasons he was part of the Calmore family.
“Home or away he would be there, always first to arrive on the morning of an away trip and keen to hear the team news as soon as possible. His opinion was one that was always valued by myself and the team. If we hadn’t played well, he had no qualms about letting us know, but he would always be first to congratulate and praise a good performance, and in his time with us he saw many.
“He delivered us a team talk prior to the Goatacre game in 2021 on our Village Cup run that got the juices flowing and to have seen the pride on his face as we all found him in the stands after lifting the trophy at Lord’s in 2021 will live long in mine and all the lad’s memories.
“He was part of the 1st team furniture and his presence on a Saturday will be greatly missed. It will be truly sad to look over to Yorkshire Al’s bench this summer and not see him sat there, eyes fixed on the game or holding court with one of the lads.
“Alan was a special man and someone who was always great company.
“One of the biggest awards to win of the season in recent years has always been the Yorkshire Alan trophy and I hope we can keep this award going in order to leave a lasting legacy in the great mans name.
“Rest in peace Yorkshire Al, you will be sorely missed by us all.”
Rest in Peace Alan – and thank you for everything that you did for our club 💚
ALAN’S FUNERAL DETAILS
Alan’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 29th March 2023 at the Test Valley Crematorium, Ridge Lane, Romsey at 13:00 followed by drinks and refreshments at Wellow Golf Club.
One of Alan’s final requests was no suits and plenty of Calmore ‘stash’ and everyone is to bring their singing voices for the third song is one we all know.
Chairman Pete asked Lesley if she would like the club to provide pallbearers for Alan’s last journey and she would like that very much so he is looking for five others to help if anyone is interested and would like as many of us as possible to attend.
