Talented all-rounder dies while dancing

A WELL-KNOWN local sportsman died suddenly in a dancing class at the age of 70.

Brian Derbyshire was a cricketer and such were his leadership qualities that he captained Crompton in the Central Lancashire League in at the age of 20.

The wicket-keeper batsman is believed to be one of the youngest-ever captains in the league, having risen through the junior ranks at Glebe Street.

Mr Derbyshire was described at that time as “popular in the dressing room because of his carefree spirit and a favourite with the Crompton crowd because of his equally carefree style of batting”.

He was a regular in the first team from the early 1960s to late 1970s when he lost his place to John Stanworth, a wicket-keeper who went on to play for Lancashire.

Mr Derbyshire moved on, playing cricket for Heyside, one of the top teams in the Saddleworth League.

But it was a measure of the esteem in which Mr Derbyshire was held at Crompton that he later became one of a select band to be made a life member of the club.

Mr Derbyshire was also a talented footballer who made a number of appearances for Athletic reserves. He was a centre forward who starred for Osram.

An engineer by trade, Mr Derbyshire was works manager for Shaw-based Newage Propulsion and commuted to Teignmouth, Devon, for several years after the firm relocated.

He took up ballroom dancing after the death of his wife, Veronica, 18 months ago and it was while at a class that he died after suffering a heart attack.

Mr Derbyshire leaves sons Mark, Jonathan and David, daughter Julie and eight grandchildren.

A service and committal will be held at Oldham Crematorium on Tuesday, May 26.