Sat 11th August: We have just received the very sad news that Jim Heath passed away this morning. Jim has suffered with cancer for a few years now, but, typically, he never allowed this to prevent him from continuing to be a stalwart of the club in all sorts of ways. He has served as fixture secretary for the past few seasons, being instrumental in reviving Sunday friendly cricket at the club. More importantly than this, Jim has been a vital pillar of our junior section for years. Like most of those who run our junior cricket at the club , he got involved when his son Jack first joined as an Under 10 player. He qualified as an ECB coach and managed and coached junior players ever since. Even right up until a few weeks ago Jim was organising practice sessions and running re-arranged matches for his Under 15s group which had fallen foul of this season’s terrible weather. Because he never spoke about his illness and refused to let it dominate his life, many members I have spoken to were completely unaware of his condition. The photo shown here was taken earlier this season when Jim was turning out for the 4th XI.
Jim on his European football travels
As well as cricket, another of Jim’s passions was following the Wolves. He has written numerous articles for various journals and national newspapers. In 2011 he wrote a book about the history of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Click here to read a tribute from “wolvesheroes.com” and also herefor one on “Molineuxmix” . You will see that everyone he knew, has the same high regard for him as we do. Although Jim was taken from us early, he packed more into the time he had than most people!
Jim at the Oval in 2010
As a member of our club he will be badly missed. As a friend he will be missed even more by all those who knew him. We are all thinking of Christine, Jack and Nicole. A minute’s silence in his memory will be observed before the start of all today’s matches.
The funeral is at 2:00 pm on Wednesday 22nd August at Telford Crematorium and afterwards at the club. I understand that Jim left some specific requests about the funeral. He would like it to be fairly informal and not too sombre, and that includes dress. Members are encouraged to wear their club shirts and fellow coaches their green coach’s shirts. Anyone who has a Wolves flag or suchlike to hang up in the club, please get in touch. Any donations will be split between Severn Hospice and St.Georges Cricket Club.
Please feel free to add to you own thoughts / comments by clicking here
This tribute appeared in the Wolves match programme on Tuesday 21st August. (Jim will have been pleased that they won!)
More Internet Tributes to Jim …..
http://www.junkarchive.co.uk/wordpress/?tag=jim-heath
http://www.ddcwwfcsc.co.uk/news/jim-heath-rip/
http://www.londonwolves.com/html/2020_jim_heath.html
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/08/28/junk-archive-music-blog-remains-as-tribute-to-founder/
Donations to St Georges Cricket Club and Severn Hospice
Anyone with a paypal account can now send donations by using their account. Its very easy to do, you will need to request the Send Money option within your PayPal Account, select send money to friends and input the Account Name chris.cousins@rbs.co.uk and amount. Alternatively people can make cheques payable to “St Georges Cricket Club”. Please send all cheques to Chris Cousins, St Georges Cricket Club Treasurer, 8 Allertons Meadow, Shawbirch, Telford TF5 0NW.
Aug 17 - 8:59 pm
Here are excerpts from some emails I have received from other clubs who have heard of Jim’s passing:
May I on behalf of Bridgnorth Cricket Club join with Norman in his message of condolence and tribute to Jim –our paths crossed on many friendly days during my involvment with junior cricket I can appreciate how much he did for your club and how much he will be missed
Jonathan Martin
Chairman
Bridgnorth
Just come back from holiday today and very sad to read this news. I echo Dave’s words and often came across Jim in various junior matches and at Shifnal Tennis Club. Please accept my condolences.
Regards
Neil Lorimer
It is with great sadness that I have received the news of Jim’s death,I first met Jim 5 years ago when our boys played for Shropshire under 10s he was the first to offer help and ended up being our scorer for the season, the dedication and hard work that Jim put into your club will be very difficult to replace what a gent. On behalf of Allscott cricket club we send our condolences
Regards
Pete Thornton
Vice chairman Allscott cc
What sad news to hear of the death of Jim. It only seems a few weeks ago that he was at Wellington CC with St Georges CC under 15 on a Friday evening when bad weather intervened. I have known Jim for many years and i am aware of the tremendous amount of work he did within the structure of your Youth Section he will be sadly missed. On behalf of Wellington Cricket Club we send our condolences .
Norman Ross Wellington Cricket Club
Youth Chairman
DINESH FROM WOLVERHAMPTON C CLUB jim sadly missed my dipest sympthy for jim fimley he we will missed for his cricket on sunday and good frind and gentlemen
Really sorry to hear about Jim, he was a truly lovely guy who will be sorely missed by all who knew him, our thoughts are with his family and close friends at this sad time. I am glad that he was able to keep up all that he loved doing even though he was obviously so ill, yet never complained. I feel privileged to have known him, he was an inspiration to many and as is clear from reading others comments his laughter was a delight as was his ability to really listen to people
please accept our condolences from all at Shrewsbury,
Yours
Julie Dean
I am shocked to hear this, although I did know how ill Jim was from dealings with him over under 15 fixtures earlier this season. All at Shifnal Cricket Club send our condolences and support. I found Jim to be a complete gentleman in all my dealings with him, on and off the pitch.
With very best wishes,
Dave Brammer, Shifnal
Aug 17 - 4:05 pm
Jim was a star. Full stop. I got to know Jim when we started travelling to away games on the Telford Wolves bus. His laugh and love for life will never be forgotten. He emailed me a couple of years ago and was so proud and happy that Jack was playing cricket.
You’ll be missed my many. RIP mate.
Aug 12 - 9:46 am
Knew Jim as a work colleague, cricket lover and friend…. he will be greatly missed by those who’s lives he touched, thoughts and prayers go out to Christine, Jack and Nicole at this sad time.
Aug 11 - 11:11 pm
Mike – thank you for posting this. Jim was such a valuable part of St Georges Cricket Club and I know his death has touched so may people at the Club. We must make sure that the principles he gave us, live on in his memory for years to come.