Mick “Pud” Ward joined Acle Cricket Club in the 1950s when he was 17-years-old and played for 40 years, scoring numerous centuries over that time including a high mark of 135 not out against Ashmanaugh in 1973.
After finishing his first team career, he played with and captained the second team.
Retirement saw Mr Ward continue to support the club including becoming landlord to a number of players from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Mick “Pud” Ward started playing for Acle Cricket Club in the 1950s. (Image: Acle Cricket Club)
Mick “Pud” Ward played for Acle Cricket Club for 40 years. (Image: Acle Cricket Club)
Away from the cricket, he was known for his work picking litter in the village and cleaning the toilet block and bus stop.
Acle Cricket Club said: “It is impossible to write about Pud because whatever you say will not be enough to do justice to a unique and wonderful man, a man who was so loved by everyone at the cricket club and the village community and beyond.
“At the moment it is impossible to imagine Saturdays in the summer without Pud but I’m sure he will be keeping an eye on us and toasting our wins with a Wherry and a whiskey.”
The club sent their love and thoughts to Mr Ward’s family.
Tributes have been paid to Acle man Mick “Pud” Ward. (Image: Acle Cricket Club)
On Saturday, May 9, ahead of their fixtures that day, the club observed a minute’s silence in his memory.
“Rest well Pud, you will be incredibly missed by everyone at the club and in the village, and we are all very grateful that our world had you in it.
“An Acle CC icon and legend,” the club said.
A minute’s silence was observed at Acle Cricket Club on May 9 to mark the death of former player Mick (Image: Acle Cricket Club)
The All About Acle Facebook page said the village had lost a true legend.
“Mick “Pud” Ward, has been an inspiration for many generations of locals, and will be sadly missed by all those that knew him,” they said.
“Pud loved having a pride in his work, and he was proud to call Acle his home.”