Nottinghamshire chairman dies aged 65

Albert Bocking, the president of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, has died at the age of 65 after a long illness. Bocking, who had been club chairman from 1999 to 2004, also served on the ECB Finance Advisory Group.

Barry Pailing, his successor as chairman, today led the tributes to a man who "had a profound effect" on Trent Bridge over the past 15 years, adding that he would be sadly missed.

"Albert was always very honest, open and straightforward with everyone he met and that endeared him to many people," said Pailing. "He was perhaps the most significant driving force behind the redevelopment of Trent Bridge in recent years and had an excellent financial mind. His loss will be greatly felt by everyone at Notts and across the cricketing world."

David Collier, chief executive at Nottinghamshire and now the ECB, said: "I had the honour of working with Albert during his years in office as county chairman - few chief executives could have been fortunate to have such wise counsel and such wonderful support.

"He epitomised the warm and friendly welcome for which Trent Bridge has become world renowned and he also provided the vision and leadership which has seen Trent Bridge develop into one on the finest cricket grounds in the world.

"Albert will be greatly missed by everyone involved in cricket and our thoughts are with Kathleen and the Bocking family at this sad time."

A chartered mechanical engineer, Bocking first came to Notts as managing director of Worthington-Simpson, a Newark-based pump manufacturer and was elected to the Notts Committee in 1990.

After being appointed Chairman in March 1999, he oversaw the construction of the award-winning Fox Road Stand and signed a nine-year international cricket staging agreement with the ECB.

He also kept in touch with local cricket and particularly Caythorpe CC, and acquired a 50 per cent share in the Notts Sports Club at Lady Bay, guaranteeing a first-class development ground for the Notts representative teams and Second XI.

And in his final year as Chairman, Bocking confirmed that Trent Bridge would host the 2003 Twenty20 Cup Finals Day - the first time a domestic final had not been played at Lord's.