Sad news – Kevin Higgins Obituary

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Obituary – Kevin Higgins

We are very saddened to hear of the passing of former player and long-time personal friend to many, and of the club, Kevin Higgins.

Kevin played for the club in the mid 70’s and early 80s having moved to Lowerhouse from the Lancaster area to teach.

Kevin was an outstanding cricketer having been the captain, wicket – keeper and opening bat for England Schoolboys. He was captain of the 1XI at Lancaster Royal Grammar School for 4 successive years and went on to play with distinction for Lancaster CC.

Kevin was in his 30s when he and wife Ann and children Stuart and Shane moved to live in Lowerhouse. Close friend from their Lancaster days was Duncan Hall who had also moved to live in Lowerhouse a short time earlier. Kevin (and Duncan) became integral in what was a struggling club at the time and played a great part in keeping the club afloat by taking on and organising fundraising events.

Kevin and Ann also threw themselves into village life and were true Lowerhouse residents making many friends in the area and particularly in those halcyon days when the Lane Ends was packed to the doors.

Kevin was an outstanding wicket-keeper but it was typical of Lowerhouse CC luck that we already had an outstanding keeper in Brian Higgin. It would be true to say that accommodating both behind the sticks was the sort of problem that selectors did not want.

When Kevin’s 1XI days were over Kevin played for the 2XI and those who were youngsters at the time benefited greatly from Kevin’s guidance and advice. In a time when players usually just turned up and played, Kevin was an astute tactician, was technically correct and recognised the worth of coaching.

After finishing playing Kevin continued to assist the club and ran the under 15s. I am reminded that he was Adam Hope’s under 15 manager, before we had under 9s, 11s or 13s. He continued with the 15s until the early 2000s when Kevin felt that he could hand over the reins and play some golf.

Kevin still followed the club’s progress and took the time to send the club a letter expressing his delight at the success of the club in recent years. This was typical of Kevin’s character.

I had the honour of making my 1XI debut with Kevin in the team, and as a16 year old benefitted greatly from his advice on and off the field, as did many others. Although I was half Kevin’s age we hit it off and we were great friends. Kevin was a gentleman, very intelligent but very down to earth with a wonderful sense of humour. A conversation with Kevin would contain every element – you would be challenged, educated, regaled, entertained, and enlightened – with a big laugh throw in.

Sons Stuart and Shane also represented the club from 3XI through to 2XI and in Shane’s case 1XI. Members and former players will be pleased to know that boys are hugely successful businessmen with a famous and successful sports bar in Minneapolis.

Lowerhouse CC sends its deepest sympathy to Ann, the boys and all the family. This is a very sad time indeed for the club .

The funeral will be held at Burnley Crematorium at 9.20am on Friday February 3rd with a reception at the cricket club.

Stan Heaton

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