It is with great sadness I report the untimely and premature death of one of our finest former players, Paul Marshall, who passed away yesterday, aged 63.

Paul suffered with his health in the last few years and had a heart attack just before Christmas. Yesterday his fight came to an end, at Manchester Royal.

He leaves behind his two sons, Asa and Jason.

Paul was a tremendous character. Funny and sharp witted, a great story teller. Time spent in his company was often memorable and richly rewarding.

As an opening batsman Paul played a key role in the early success of Hyde CC in the Central Lancashire era and he was part of our title winning team of 1981, sharing a dressing room with New Zealand test batsman Bruce Edgar.
During this period Paul built a reputation as a prolific batsman and forged many new friendships. Notably, Paul found common ground with our Aussie batsman Errol Harris, with whom he enjoyed an enduring and close bond.
Paul was a stylish left handed batsman, pleasing on the eye and of sound technique.
His runs were frequently hard fought; demanding great powers of concentration, which Paul had in spades.
He never gave in cheaply, even in the face of some of the finest bowlers, many of them world class professionals whose names would trip off the tongue and he was always a player whose wicket the opposition prised.
What was also great about playing cricket with Paul, was how he would come into his own after the match over a few beers in the club house, where games would be painstakingly analysed.
Thanks to Paul many of the stories coming out of Hyde, especially in those Central Lancs days, were so much more interesting having been tossed around and changed into more palatable and humorous versions of themselves. Often the most memorable part of the day would be Paul's re-interpretation of how he was out!
As popular with opponents as with his own team mates, he could hold court for hours...

As well as playing for Hyde, Paul had successful spells at Dukinfield, where he found a second home, Ashton and Flowery Field.
In fact, he captained Dukinfield to the Lancashire and Cheshire Div 2 title in 1992.

There's a lovely team photo doing the rounds with former Hyde players David Mayne, Mark Stringer and David Schofield making up a very fine group of cricketers.
Paul as captain is obviously in the centre, which is appropriate on more than one level and whilst it's beyond argument they could all play, it's also safe to assume they gained more points for winning games of cricket than they won medals for gentlemanly conduct!

In many ways the team he led at Dukinfield reflected Paul’s personality - colourful, committed, single minded and pugnacious! I'll bet they were a dream to watch for the locals.

When not playing cricket Paul was a Dad, partner, brother and loyal son.
Paul always spoke affectionately about his late parents, Harold and Marjorie.
He was older brother / life mentor to Andrew, AJ to most of us who know him, himself an important part of the era described in this brief tribute.

Paul was also a life long City fan and as recently as last year travelled by coach, with Jason, to watch them play away at Brentford.

***Funeral arrangements as follows;
The service will take place at Dukinfield Crematorium
Hall Green Road, Dukinfield. SK16 4EP.
On Monday 3 March at 12 noon.
Following the service, relatives and friends are invited to the wake at Hyde Cricket and Squash Club, Werneth Low Road, Hyde. SK14 3AA***

Rest Peacefully Paul.

Hyde CSC