Hero of Nelson and Colne Cricket Clubs Frank dies

Frank Taylor - the only man to have captained both Colne and Nelson Cricket Clubs to the Lancashire League championship and Worsley Cup “double” - died in Bank Hall Nursing Home, Burnley, on Thursday.

He had lived at the home for two years, having previously lived in Nelson and Colne.

Mr Taylor worked for many years as a tackler at William Uttley’s mill in Nelson, ending up as a director of the company, and when the mill closed worked for his father’s property business.

Mr Taylor’s first sporting love was football, playing with teams in Nelson before moving to Trawden Rangers, but it is in the world of cricket that he will be best remembered locally.

He captained Colne to the “double” in 1959 - the last time the Horsfield side won the league - and after moving to Nelson, was captain of the team which repeated the feat six years later.

He remained at Seedhill for the rest of his career, retiring in 1977 after scoring 4,033 runs and taking 333 wickets for the club - one of only three Nelson amateurs to score 3,000 runs and take 300 wickets. In one game against Lowerhouse in 1971, he took seven wickets for seven runs.

Mr Taylor’s funeral took place at Burnley Crematorium on Wednesday.

He is survived by his wife, Pat, son Paul and two grand-daughters.