We lost Jim Sumner this week at the age of 92. Jim had almost reached legendry status at Shipley. He joined the club in 1947 and, as a fresh-faced fast bowler he bustled in with arms flailing expecting every ball to give him another prized wicket. A captain's dream he would bowl with all the energy he could muster whenever pressed into service. His batting was, let's be kind, and say rustic, I once saw him hit 40 but suffice to say he took more wickets than made runs throughout his playing career. As a schoolmaster, he advocated sporting activities for his pupils and he managed a local junior football team and also took up the reins as Junior Manager at the club. He had a spell as Club Secretary and followed this up by acting as Scorer for the 1st XI where his cheery outlook was a spur to many of our players.
He possessed an infectious enthusiasm for life which rubbed off on those around him. You could rarely be in his company without giggling or laughing out loud at his tales.
At 90, with the aid of his lovely wife, Viv. a book of his poems was published. Age did catch up with him and inflicted dreaded dementia upon him. He took this stoically and given a few prompts could recall in detail the adventures of his earlier life. My lasting memory of him was at his 90th birthday party when before an admiring audience he regaled them with a 4-page poem he had written about his life without missing a sentence or beat.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and. for Shipley, it is though one of the mighty oaks has fallen. I have included a pic. of
a young Jim at a party we held following a successful season. It says it all !!
