Sad News – Peter Mawdsley

The club are again saddened to hear of the passing of another club stalwart , former Second Eleven captain , cricket chairman and supporter Peter Mawdsley.

Peter came to the club in the early 70s and quickly established himself in the Second Eleven , featuring in the 1973 Second Eleven cup winning team. ( Team photograph on West end room wall). For Lowerhouse to win a trophy in that period was some achievement.

Peter also played First Eleven cricket but was a leader and captaining the Second Eleven was a natural evolution. The peak of that captaincy was the 1982 Second Eleven cup final win at Lowerhouse over Ramsbottom.

Peter captained until injury forced his retirement. Peter was known as a very fair captain and would stick with younger players through adversity. Something that I benefitted from myself. Peter had a great sense of humour, loved banter and enjoyed a gag even at his own expense.

Two quick stories. Prior to a serious injury Peter was a fair old size. After chasing the ball to the boundary at a sweltering turf moor for three successive 3s a wag in the huge derby Day crowd shouted “Oygen for Mawdsley “. Quick as a flash Peter shouted back “Don’t worry lad , I’ve lost a stone this over “.

Four of us were sat on the changing room table at Ramsbottom as a 6 hurtled towards the window towards us. Suddenly Peter thrust out both arms and fell backwards tumbling us all to the floor. Amidst the chaos of broken glass, a broken table and twisted limbs, Peter stood up and said ” I’d have caught that but for you 3″

Peter continued his involvement in the club after retirement as cricket chairman and although debilitated by a stroke some 13 years ago, Peter continued to attend games  as a supporter , west end member with wife Ann a valued supplier of cakes to the tea room.

We send our heartfelt sympathy to Ann, and Peter’s family and mourn once again the loss of a true Lowerhouser.

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