We were extremely saddened to hear the news on Wednesday of the passing of Tim Selwood - a friend, club stalwart, Vice President and former top player.

Tim was an extraordinary Finchley player and leader over several decades – a first class cricketer with Middlesex CCC and Central Districts, New Zealand, in his teens and twenties; a consistent member of the club’s first team that won several trophies; a very active leader of our junior cricket over a long period; and a pillar of the club community. He is the father of Steve, Kate and Jo – Steve learnt his cricket at the club and played for the first team for several years with distinction and is now back helping us with our junior and adult cricket – and our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Tim's family. You will see some pictures of Tim on the website. We have had numerous messages of sadness and support (‘An iconic figure’….’I feel really affected by his death’…’He will be greatly missed’…’He played a big role at the start of my and my brother’s cricketing lives and will be deeply missed by our whole family’ …’Always remember him trying to get me to sweep the spinners, insisting that a major difference between amateurs and the pros was the latter's ability to work runs on the leg side’.). We are in touch with the family about our best contribution – and best ways of marking Tim’s memory –and will keep in touch with members and supporters about this.

Tim was born in Prestatyn, North Wales and moved to London at an early age where he attended William Ellis School, Highgate before going into teacher training at the esteemed sports college, St Luke’s in Exeter.

After college Tim played for Middlesex as an opening batsman between 1966 and 1973 captaining the victorious side in the County under 25’s Cup. He played 20 first class games and averaged 19.5 He made a career-best 89 against the Pakistan tourists during a one-off season for Central Districts in 1972-73.

After Middlesex, Tim coached and played as club professional for Darlington Railway in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League and Stenhousemuir, Scotland in the Western Union. Stenhousemuir had a very successful season but may have regretted bonusing Tim on the number of runs he scored. Tim then moved further afield to teach, coach and play in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. He actually emigrated to Perth but came back after 2 years saying he missed his Finchley CC mates!

Tim played for Finchley from the age of 12. Performance records are limited but in1st X1 League and Cup matches he scored 5,424 runs at an average of 32.3 and perhaps more surprisingly took 163 wickets at 15.8 apiece. Indeed, when Finchley played India in a warm up game for the1975 World Cup, Tim showed his all-round ability by catching Gavaskar and Sharma, running out Solkar with a direct hit, trapping Visvanath lbw and having Gaekwad caught behind for 0 to leave India on 55 for 5.

In Tim’s day club cricket matches were very much family occasions and Tim’s wife Sarah would arrive with son, Steve, who would immediately start seeking out people to bowl to him and twins Jo and Kate who would play happily with the other children and their Labrador, Lucy. As youngsters the twins were so identical that Tim’s team mates and sometimes Tim himself could not tell them apart or were Kate and Jo just teasing their Dad. The Selwoods were very much part of the Finchley family culture that glued the membership together and great success on the field was certainly matched by the social aspects of Club life. Sadly, Sarah passed away in 2005 aged just 54 following a long battle against illness.

Tim spent many hours coaching Steve’s batting and was very proud of his cricket achievements though much like most Dad’s, critical when he played a bad shot or got out. The girls achieved much success in their chosen stage careers. When in a show near London, Tim would organise a theatre visit for his school and club friends. With Tim in charge, these were good nights out!

For many years Tim taught and coached cricket, soccer and rugby at Belmont School. For much of that time he also ran Finchley’s junior section organising all coaching nights and the many age group matches with much success at all levels in league and cup cricket and in bringing juniors through into the main Club sides. Since his passing many juniors have spoken fondly about Tim and his contribution to their cricket development.

In his younger days Tim played soccer for the 1st XI’s of St Luke’s and Winchmore Hill and carried on his soccer days into his late 40’s playing good and extremely sociable soccer with the Old Fincunian Vets. As a student at St Luke’s, Tim took quickly to golf finding it relatively straightforward with his excellent hand eye co-ordination skills.

Also, during the winter months, Tim played Middlesex League Squash for the first teams of Hornsey and Finchley Manor. During his spell in Darlington, Tim played county squash for Durham.

In 2015 Tim retired to Bishops Sutton in Hampshire with his later day partner, Linda. Together they enjoyed a number of cruises and other long holidays to Linda’s native South Africa and elsewhere. In retirement Tim returned to golf joining Alresford Golf Club. This time, he struggled much more with the game and like most of us, and him particularly as a very gifted all round sportsman, found golf very frustrating. However, he loved the game, made new friends and of course it had the social aspects which were so important to Tim. Combined with the fresh air exercise and still present competitive spirit, playing golf regularly up until Christmas 2020 helped Tim greatly in his battle against illness.

We are planning an informal event at Finchley for later in the year when Tim’s many friends can have the opportunity to join with his family to remember Tim and pay their respects. We will make it the type of event of that Tim would have met with Tim’s approval.