The Club received an email yesterday afternoon from the nephew of Colin Whiting telling us that Colin passed away earlier this week. Colin, affectionately known as “Smurf” throughout the 27 years he scored for the Finchley 1 st X1, joined the Club in 1976 and spent an initial 8-year apprenticeship scoring for the 2 nd X1. At the end of 1983 Murty Kilmurray retired as scorer and Smurf was promoted to the 1 st X1, a position he graced with considerable distinction until 2011. After scoring every Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and many mid-week Cup matches over 15 years, (I cannot recall him ever taking a day off), Colin was made a Vice President of Finchley CC in 1991in recognition of his sterling service. On hearing of Colin’s passing, Keir Hopley, Chairman of the Middlesex County League Umpire’s Panel, said “Colin was a very good scorer and one of the League’s characters”.

During Colin’s time as scorer, the Finchley 1 st X1 were Middlesex League Champions 4 times and runner’s-up no less than 7 times. In addition, with Colin scoring Finchley won the Evening Standard Cup 4 times, the Middlesex Cup 9 times, and the Bertie Joel and Middlesex Federation Cup once. Smurf expected high standards and the 1 st X1 was usually able to deliver! After his retirement from the score-box in 2011, due largely to arthritis in his hands, Colin continued to support the Club and was in attendance at most home League matches. Colin’s last visit to Finchley was this season’s League match against Brondesbury at the end of August. His cheerful demeanour and good humour will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

RIP Smurf!

Funeral arrangements are still being finalised by Colin’s Family, but it will be local and the Club will host a suitable send-off in the Pavilion afterwards.

Mike Milton