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Sir Geoffrey Boycott Gave a moving eulogy at Dickie Bird’s funeral, and praised his fellow Yorkshireman as “the best umpire in the world”.
Bird died last month at the age of 92 and his life was celebrated at a service at St Mary’s Church in his hometown of Barnsley on Sunday.
yorkshire cricket The family gathered to pay tribute to him To one of the game’s most beloved figuresWith former England captain michael vaughan White was joined in the pews by fellow Roses favorites Martin Moxon, David Byas, Geoff Cope and Gavin Hamilton.
Boycott, 84, shared speaking responsibility with Yorkshire chairman Colin GravesThe pair took turns paying affectionate tribute to their old friend, who was born Harold Dennis Byrd but became universally known by his nickname.
Boycott, who knew Byrd for nearly 70 years, starting when he was 15, brought laughter from the congregation as he shared stories of their long association.
Boycott described him as “humorous and lovable” and “clever as a brush”, concluding: “He became the most famous and famous umpire in the world, but most importantly, he was the best umpire in the world.
“Harold Dennis Byrd was a unique and very special man. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Asked after the service whether there would ever be another one like Dickie Byrd, an emotional Boycott said: “You never know, but I won’t be here to see it.”
Bird’s coffin, which entered the church accompanied by the music of Edward Elgar and left to the strains of Frank Sinatra’s My Way, was topped by his trademark white flat cap and carried a bat and ball floral cricket tribute as well as flags representing the game’s Test-playing nations.
Bird, who retired from the game at the age of 32 having played a record 66 Test matches as well as 69 ODIs and three World Cup finals, was renowned for his ability to build positive relationships with players.
Known as an innate ‘not an outsider’, his distinctive behavior and eccentric charm made him a celebrity in his own right and his autobiography sold over a million copies.
Vaughan, second The Yorkshire favorite who knew him well, Told the PA news agency: “He was a man of great character. He was married to cricket and his home was Headingley.”
“We will give him a wonderful farewell. He brought so much joy to so many people around the world. Not just in Yorkshire, but around the world, they will be celebrating.”
“I loved him because he kept his finger down. Today some batsmen will say ‘Thanks Dickie’ and some bowlers will say ‘You should have given us something more’, but he will be sorely missed.”
The funeral procession stopped briefly at the Dickie Bird statue in the center of Barnsley before continuing on the short journey to St Mary’s.
The service, which was broadcast over speakers to mourners outside, included a reading by Yorkshire club chaplain Chris Edmondson and a recording of ‘A Poem About Dickie Bird’, a poem of tribute by local author Ian MacMillan.
The donation will be shared between the Dickie Bird Foundation, the Hope South Yorkshire charity and the special baby care unit at Barnsley Hospital.
“Dickie was one of the family. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten,” Graves said. “A national and a Yorkshire treasure. What you saw was what you got.”
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