It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing last week of Charlie French, a highly-regarded pillar of Nottinghamshire’s recreational cricket scene.

Born in 1954, the former wicketkeeper-batsman - uncle to Trent Bridge titan Jake Ball, and elder brother to former Notts and England wicketkeeper Bruce French - was renowned as one of the greatest amateur players of his generation, playing for Welbeck Cricket Club from the 1960s through to the 2000s amongst a highly esteemed amateur career.

Playing the entirety of age-group cricket for Nottinghamshire, the multi-talented sportsman represented England Schoolboys at Under-15s level and also made a handful of Second XI appearances for the Green and Golds, before taking the opportunity to travel across the United States where he briefly played semi-professional soccer in Florida.

Charlie was an influential figure at Welbeck CC, where he spent his whole club career and captained the first and second teams respectively, playing a key role in developing young players at the club towards the end of his playing years.

As Chairman, he worked alongside friend and Club President John Fretwell to move the club from their historic home to develop a new and improved facility at the now-known John Fretwell Centre in 2004.

Beyond his lengthy working career at collieries in Welbeck and Creswell - taking voluntary redundancy from the National Coal Board at the end of the 1980s - Charlie became a highly successful bat maker whilst continuing to make a lasting impact on the recreational game in Nottinghamshire, recognised in the naming of the Charlie French End at Welbeck.

Charlie will be sorely missed by the Nottinghamshire cricket community, and we send the deepest of condolences to Charlie’s family, friends and loved ones at this sorrowful time.

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We also pay tribute to Duncan Fearnley, a legendary fellow bat maker of the 1980s and 1990s and former county cricketer for Worcestershire where he later became Chairman, as well as a founding member of the Cricket Foundation.

All at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club would like to offer their sincerest condolences to Duncan’s friends and family at this time.