The funeral of the former Presteigne St Andrews FC striker Edward Price is due to take place at St Mary’s Church in Kington at 1 o’clock on Wednesday, 8 July.
Edward was a sportsman of renown throughout his career, excelling in both football and cricket. He was 62.
Edward played for Presteigne St Andrews FC for around five years during which time he scored some important goals, including one in the Central Wales Cup final of 1980.
But, for all this, his first love was cricket and it was here that he was to achieve his defining sporting moment when he captained Kington Cricket Club to victory in the National Village Knockout Championship of 1993.
Kington were drawn away for most of the rounds of that competition and yet they defied the odds in many ways to book themselves a home tie against the Scottish club, Freuchie in the semi-final.
The weather threatened the game and Kington were desperate to get it on as otherwise they would have had to head to Scotland the following week for a rescheduled match.
While the grounds staff worked hard to ensure the Recreation Ground way playable, Edward had other plans for the team.
He ordered a coach and took them all off to a pub for lunch, ensuring they only arrived back on the ground in time to play the game so they were away from all the manic preparations taking place.
20 years on from that win, he told me he still believed that bus trip had played a key part in their victory – his players were relaxed and up for the game, while Freuchie couldn’t quite get their heads around the fact the home side had turned up on a coach and it threw them.
Kington were comfortable winners of that semi-final and they then went on to beat Gloucestershire side, Frocester, by two runs in the most dramatic final.
Frocester needed three to win from the final delivery, but Rob Johnson knocked the middle stump out of the ground and the cup was heading back to north Herefordshire.
Edward was to go on to become a full-time cricket coach and administrator and it’s no exaggeration to say that hundreds of young players across Herefordshire and beyond benefited from his experience and coaching talents.
Those attending the funeral are invited to wear cricket club blazers and/or ties.
Everyone connected with Presteigne St Andrews FC extends our condolences to Edward’s family at this very sad time.