It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roy Sturch, who died peacefully at home at the age of 89. Born in Bolton in 1935 Roy lived a full life and always had a passion for football and cricket.

His interest in cricket began at an early age, becoming a proud member of the Whitecrcoft School cricket team in 1950. His love for the game remained a constant throughout his life, holding a season ticket at Old Trafford and following England to India and South Africa before taking up umpiring in 2007. He became a valued member of the BCU&SA becoming Chairman in 2012 and was largely responsible for setting up a website for the Association , maintaining it with many interesting facts and interviews. He umpired the Birtwistle cup semifinals in 2010 and 2012 and the final in 2015. He also umpired the Hamer cup semis in 2009 and 2013 and the final in 2013. He umpired the Trinity cup match, the annual match between the Bolton Cricket league and the Bolton and District league, in 2012 ,and continued his umpiring duties until retiring in 2018 to look after his ill wife Pat.