ONE of York cricket’s most respected characters has died.

George Myerscough, a former league president who was inducted into the Hunters York & District Senior League’s Hall of Fame two years ago, passed away at his home in Heworth on Wednesday, aged 82.

Born on November 11, 1931, at Welburn, Myerscough played football and cricket in his younger days but his sporting career took off at Gleneagles Youth Club, in Tang Hall, where he met his first wife, Marion.

Competing in football, cricket and athletics, he was one of the fastest 100 and 220 yard runners in York and the surrounding areas and won many trophies. He was drafted into the Royal Air Force for National Service, completing basic training at West Kirby on the Wirral. He was posted to the south of England where he played football for Southern Command.

Further postings came at RAF Driffield and RAF Full Sutton.

A fine footballer, he played for York City Reserves along with Old Malton St Mary’s, Gleneagles Youth Club, Cliftonville, Scarborough and finally South Kirby Colliery.

He began his cricket career at Castle Howard before going on to play for Gleneagles Youth Club, York Ramblers and finally Dringhouses.

He topped the Senior League first division batting averages in 1969 with 50.71 and had a best score of 146 against Thirsk two years later.

Myerscough was league president for four years from 2007 to 2010 and the current post holder.

League secretary Albert Pattison, said: “He was totally devoted to his duties. During his four years in office he visited virtually every ground in the wide geographical area not just once but on numerous occasions in each of the four years.

“In addition he was an ever present at League functions and continued to strongly support the League in the following three years as ‘immediate past president’.

“He most generously donated an official ‘president’s chain of office’ to the League as a thank you when his term ended.”

Myerscough owned Robson & Coopers in Lendal, York, which, for many years, supplied equipment for cricket and other sports.

It remains well known as a stockist of trophies and medals for a whole range of sports.

Pattison added: “Another aspect of George’s life was his involvement with the youth service and youth clubs in the city.

“Any old cricketers and former youths used to regularly call into the Lendal shop to mull over old times with George whose sense of humour always acted as a fillip.

“I actually spent over an hour with George and his wife Herle about three hours before his passing and his recollections as well as his humour were evident as we had a chat.

“It was quite a shock to receive a phone call telling me that he had passed away only about three hours later. He was a very good friend to many, many people and will be greatly missed.”

Myerscough is survived by Herle and children Debbie, Joy, Neil and Christian.