Staffordshire County Cricket Club are saddened by the passing of former player David Blank.
David, who was 66, was a prominent member of the county side after making his Staffordshire debut in 1981.
A fast bowler, he played 77 Minor Counties Championship matches for Staffordshire – and was part of the side which won the title in 1991.
That completed a season’s double as David also helped Staffordshire to victory over Devon in the Holt Cup final at Lord’s.
David, who played club cricket for Little Stoke, Stone, Cheadle and Leek, took 202 Championship wickets for the county between 1981 and 1992 with best figures of 7-25.
He played 10 one-day matches and picked up 20 wickets, as well as seven List A matches for Staffs.
‘Unsung hero’
Staffordshire chairman Nick Archer, who was also David’s captain, said: “Blanky came from a family steeped in Staffordshire cricket and he was one of the unsung heroes of our first championship win in 1991 as well as the win against Devon at Lord’s that year.
“He was a ‘workhorse’ and the ideal first change in the attack after Paul Newman and Nigel Hackett.
“He was a capable batter as well and, in many other eras, he would have earned a place higher in the order.
“He was, also, great fun off the field and will be fondly remembered by everyone who played with him for the County as well as the wider North Staffordshire cricketing family.”