Teammates, friends, and cricketing foes have offered their respects and memories after Clifford Nigel Spinks, who represented Langleybury Cricket Club between the end of the 1980s and 2004, died on Thursday, November 6.
The former Hemel Hempstead resident, also known as ‘Cliff’ and ‘Spinksy’, was described as “explosive with the bat” and “simply awesome with the ball”, but also as a character and friend who “was a true one-off”.
Clifford Nigel Spinks (Image: Langleybury Cricket Club)
Club ambassador Jon Gunning said: “Clifford Spinks will be missed by many, and cricket has without doubt lost a true legend this month.
“The Langleybury Cricket Club Committee will no doubt work on something special to keep the memory of Cliff alive.
“We offer our sincere condolences to his wife Sue, his children, grandchild, and his other family and close friends.”
Clifford Nigel Spinks (Image: Langleybury Cricket Club)
Prior to joining Langleybury, Clifford had played for Hemel Hempstead Cricket Club’s first team after being noticed as a teenager in the late 70s, winning trophies across a variety of competitions.
“He was without doubt one of the finest club cricketers around the Southeast region, with a powerful reputation as a bowling all-rounder,” Jon added.
Clifford Nigel Spinks (Image: Langleybury Cricket Club)
“His contributions as a cricketer were virtually unparalleled for at least 15 seasons.”
He also represented Hertfordshire County Cricket Club, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, and Bourne Cricket Club, where he worked on the grounds and became an umpire after retirement from cricket in his mid-50s.
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Outside of cricket, Clifford enjoyed music, gardening, and spending time with his wife. He also liked to relax in his home-built pub shed, listening to music and watching sport.
Messages from those in the Hertfordshire cricket world shared this week recalled “many great battles on the field and fun beers off the field” with a “true great of club cricket”.
People described him as a “fantastic mate, friend, and cricketer”, “a top man”, and “a special talent”.