Ian Bedford

The death of Ian Bedford, who collapsed while at the wicket in the match between Finchley and Buckhurst Hill in September, and died on his way to hospital, came as a great shock to many cricket followers. Ian, born in Friern Barnet, was 36 and lived with his wife and their four daughters at West Hill Way, Totteridge. While still at Woodhouse Grammar School in 1947 he entered the world of county cricket with Middlesex. In his first season he took 25 wickets and helped Middlesex win the County Championship. He also played for the M.C.C. during that year. Bedford's name was not heard on the county scene for some time until 1961 when he accepted an invitation to captain Middlesex, taking over the helm from John Warr. During the season the county reached third place in the County Championship and Bedford took 32 wickets and scored 411 runs. His best match of that season was against Gloucestershire at Gloucester when he scored 75 runs not out to help Middlesex win by one wicket with only 10 minutes to spare. Bedford scored his runs in 40 minutes, which included five 4s, giving Middlesex 20 minutes to score 8 runs. Bedford captained the county the following year before his retirement at the end of the season, because of business reasons, and returned to club cricket, and his place was taken by Colin Drybrough. Because of injury Bedford missed half the season's matches but did take 11 wickets and managed to score a total of 185 runs. He then returned to Finchley C.C., the club he had been introduced to by his former sports master at Woodhouse Grammar School, Mr George Wood. A final tribute to Bedford came from Finchley C.C. Press Secretary, Mr Maurice Hyde, who wrote, `Sorrow at the tragic death of Ian Bedford is now shared by all those who knew and loved him. The club will no longer know the infectious humour and laughter, the kindness to youngsters and guests, the generosity, superb knowledge and dedication to the game. His loss to Finchley is, of course, irreparable. No one championed the club so vigorously in the higher councils of cricket politics. We will indeed remember Ian Bedford.'
The Cricketer