It is with deep sadness that we report that Mick Cullingham, our President and long standing member, has passed away recently after a short illness.
I first came across Mick over 45 years ago when he accompanied his son David to the various cricket matches taking place. Mick became quickly attracted to cricket and was to develop a keen interest in umpiring so much so that Mick was to become a highly qualified and highly respected umpire in the Kent League. It was to his great credit that Mick still stood in the middle for Dartford matches at the weekend and in all weathers well past his 80th year!
Mick was a wonderful person in so many ways. He had the ready smile of someone who had a great enthusiasm for life. Until recently Mick was an ever present at Club events and particularly he became an ardent regular on the “Old Farts” tour of the West Country. By all accounts Mick was an active leader of the numerous post-match fun and games that took place amongst that band of ragamuffin pensioners!
Mick was very much a true Dartfordian supporting both the cricket and football teams. In his later years Mick very much enjoyed watching his grandsons Harry, Alex (and to a lesser extent James) play cricket at Hesketh Park whilst he would often accompany his grandsons and cheer on the mighty Dartford footballers.
As his many friends would testify there was no side to Mick and it was a most fitting that this was so appropriately reflected when Mick accepted the invitation to become President of our Club a few years back. I know that Mick took great pride in being President and rightly so. Mick followed a long list of very worthy past holders of the title and he honoured their tradition with his own inimitable style. I doubt, however, whether there has ever been a President who brought so much fun and merriment to the Dartford Cricket Club table!
Mick leaves behind his wife Kath, his sons David and John, grandchildren James, Harry, Georgia and Alex and his very many friends. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are sent to the family at this difficult time.
Funeral details to follow in due course.
Harry Bright
Chairman