Thankyou Farouk for changing my life

Below is a letter from one of Farouk’s young players at the club, who wishes to remain anonymous but prefaces the letter by commenting “he has been such a huge part of my childhood. I will miss him entirely. He has watched me grow up and get better as a person.”

What can I say about Farouk?

Farouk was the kindest, most selfless, most caring man most people can think of. I don’t know what made him special to you, but for me it was his belief.

He believed in children’s cricket and made me the person I am today. If it wasn’t for Farouk, I’d be a different person altogether.

Sure, he made us wear ridiculous clothes for tours, but he really cared. He’d watch games whenever they were at Clitheroe and come down to a lot of training. He was dedicated to cricket. You could say he ran off the sport. He’d speak, dream and think cricket non-stop. Farouk organised so many things for us, charity events, festivals, cricket tours, he didn’t benefit from those things; he benefitted from the children’s smiles and attitudes towards cricket.

Farouk was a major part of so many childhoods, including my own. Thank you so much for being there for so many people.

Name and address supplied