Mike Speak (1940-2006)

Members of the Association will be saddened to hear the death of Mike Speak on 10th August. He was 66 years old and died of cancer. He had suffered for a number of years although his passing away was not expected at this time.

He had a significant impact on Hong Kong cricket during his 10 years in Hong Kong from 1987 to 1997. He arrived to take up the post of Director of Physical Education and Sport at the University. He had previously held a similar position at the University of Lancaster. Coming to Hong Kong at the age of 47 he considered that his cricket career was over. He had played in the Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues and at minor county level in the UK. Nevertheless, he was still able to have a significant impact as a player in Hong Kong and particularly on University cricket. It would perhaps be fitting to quote from Professor Brian Cooke, the Chairman of the University Cricket Club in 1989.

"The rejuvenation of HKU cricket already owes an enormous amount to Mike Speak. He leads decisively from the front and sets an example that is not easy to follow. I don't think any HKU batsman has been so dominant a force in the Saturday League, with an aggregate of over 1,000 runs at 65.25. Mike's pretty tight bowling, sure - and at times spectacular - catching, his experience, shrewd, tactical sense and firm direction mark him out as a fine cricketer."

The comment was repeated in 1997 and I am sure that the same could be said of his performances for the Optimists at Hong Kong Cricket Club. But it is not only as a fine cricketer that we remember him. He also played an important part in the affairs of Hong Kong cricket during his time here. He was the Hon. Secretary of the Association, in 1989/90 following Sippy's long innings but persuaded the present incumbent to take this over in 1990 since he preferred to spend his time in more active promotion of the sport than the Hon. Secretary role provided. He was the progenitor of the development programme in Hong Kong cricket and Chairman of the Development Committee from 1990 until he left Hong Kong. In this capacity he laid the foundation for the very successful programmes that we have to date and Mike would indeed be proud to see the results of his farsighted vision and commitment in the development of the game.

He also managed the ICC Trophy side in 1990 to great effect and was the inaugural Tournament Director of the HK Sixes from its inception in 1992 to 1997. He carried out a very full role generally in the affairs of the HKCA during his stay in Hong Kong.

He will therefore be very much missed and remembered with great affection for his contributions, on and off the field. The Association will express condolences on behalf of the members to his wife, Rosemary, and his children, Michelle and Chris. It should also be recorded that Mike was not only a fine cricketer but also a budding cricket writer. He co-produced a history of the University of Hong Kong Cricket Club, 1913- 1997, which stands as a memorial to his love of the game.