Derek Hodgson dies at 87

Derek Hodgson, a former president of The Cricket Writers' Club, died suddenly on June 10, at his home in Great Warford, Cheshire. He was 87.

Derek a life member of the club, served as president from 2004-2008, having been secretary from 1986-2004. He was one of the club's most popular and well-respected members.

Born in Morley, Hodgson had a great affection for Yorkshire CCC, which he joined as a member in 1948. Twelve years ago he was one of around 80 of the club's members who received special medals to mark 50 or more years of continuous service.

One of cricket's most experienced journalists, he covered many of England's tours abroad. For years, he covered Yorkshire's tempestuous fortunes, travelling home and away with them.

He was Northern Cricket Correspondent of the Daily Express, before serving national newspapers as a freelance for a while. Some of his happiest years covering the game he loved came when he joined The Independent, which he served until his retirement.

David Warner, president of the Cricket Writers' Club, said: "Derek was a man who truly loved the game and he wrote about it in a genteel and informative way, which endeared him to his readers.

When Derek became involved in the Cricket Writers' Club there were only around 80 members. He was delighted to learn shortly before his death that the figure had risen to 400.

In 1989, he wrote The Carnegie Official History of Yorkshire County Cricket, a book which he was to update ten years later. He was also joint author with Stephen Chalke of the acclaimed book No Coward Soul: the Remarkable Story of Bob Appleyard.

After his retirement, he edited the Yorkshire CCC Yearbook.