Upminster Cricket Club were saddened to learn of the passing of Colin Wright last week. Colin was a long serving Vice President and former playing member of the club, as well as father of Steve, who played for many years in the club’s 1st and 2nd XI.

Colin first became involved with the club in the early 90s, at the time John Sutton was revitalising the junior section at Upminster. Colin brought Steve along to play for the colts and ended up helping out with training and other tasks around the junior section. Many junior players from that time will remember Colin and John’s demonstrations of running between the wickets on Saturday mornings!! Steve went on to become a member of the 1996 Matchplay squad who went all the way to the final of the competition, and Colin then managed the squad in the 1997 and 1998 tournaments.

Having become good friends with the likes of John Sutton and Colin Thompson, Colin then began playing regularly himself in the club’s 5th XI, with Thompson as captain. The side was full of characters such as Albert Moulder, Paul Scott and Joe Margetts and they enjoyed much success over the years.

Colin also became a prominent member of Upminster Hockey Club in the 90s, both as a player and a committee member. Along with his wife Jill, both went on to play a huge part in the Hockey Club’s development and progression. Colin twice won the Hockey Club’s Club Person of the Year award, the second time in 2009/10 alongside Jill and Steve. Colin was also a well respected umpire and a Vice President of the Hockey Club, and a constant presence around the club over the past three decades, taking on a number of committee roles.

Of course, Colin’s other sporting love was football and especially Leyton Orient!! He was a regular at Brisbane Road over the years and even a few weeks ago was still attending games as the Os reached the League One play offs.

Colin always had a smile on his face and was always wiling to chat about hockey, cricket or football while enjoying a pint or two at the club. He will be greatly missed by many current and former members of both Upminster Cricket and Hockey Clubs and our thoughts and best wishes are with Jill, Steve and daughter Georgina at this time.