Peter Rushworth, Ronnie Franklin and Eddie Bayliss have died recently and our thoughts are with their family and friends.
Peter was first team captain at Uppermill during the glory years from 1981 to 1984 when the team won the Saddleworth League championship 3 times and the Tanner Cup in 1982. Peter was always cheerful and brilliant joke teller for all occasions but for such an accomplished raconteur his team talks were always short " come on lads lets get e'm stuffed ".
Ronnie was professional at Uppermill from 1971 to 1977 taking a team that had been bottom of the league in the previous four seasons to second place in 71. The team remained near the top of the league throughout his stay mostly due to his brilliance. He always gave 100 % whether it was bowling 20 overs of pace Saturday and Sunday or running eagerly between the wickets. Small of stature and big on heart he was like lightning in the field no short singles to Frankie. His big hitting batting technique produced many runs, all in making him a very popular player with the guys and the ladies
Eddie Bayliss was Saddleworth League chairman from 2002 to the close of the league in 2015. As an umpire he always stayed in the club after the match. He said how he enjoyed his visits to Uppermill though maybe the superb teas were the main attraction for the type of good guy that cricket needs.