Club mourn Fergy loss
08-10-09
Carmel & District Cricket Club are sad to announce the news that Peter Ferguson died peacefully at his home today following his recent battle against cancer at the age of 61.
The word ‘legend’ seems to be banded about far too often in sport. But there is no doubt that a man known affectionately to the majority of us as 'Ferg' or ‘Fergy’ is befitting of a title even greater than that of legend. He is simply a one-off. Irreplaceable.
Peter served Carmel in numerous capacities since the club was founded in 1965. As a schoolboy he was there at the first meeting at Carmel Village Hall where the club was formed.
His playing career spanned every season from the club’s early games in 1965 through to the season of 2009 where, despite his illness, he still managed to make four appearances for the Second XI with his final match away at Connah’s Quay.
Peter made one century in his 1,100 appearances for the club - an unbeaten 118 against Bethesda Second XI on May 4, 1987 - but it is the way in which he made his 12,000 runs, which will remain in the memories of the Carmel players.
Fergy would quite simply never give his wicket away cheaply. While other players played flamboyant shots they had seen on television the previous night Peter’s style was uncomplicated and, whilst he played to his strengths, he also knew his limitations.
His batting was without flair and aggression but his role within in the team could never be understated. If there was an infamous Carmel middle-order collapse you could rely on Fergy to steady the ship and ensure the innings was not a complete disaster.
When boundaries came they were guided, caressed and steered to the rope rather than brutally dispatched. Usually they were greeted with warm cheers of irony from the Carmel players – often wishing they possessed some of Pete’s temperament.
Oh, and he had a unique way of marking his guard too.
It was with the ball that Peter also excelled. By his own admission he was a “self-taught bowler” who had “hardly ever been coached” and as a result his style was inevitably somewhat unorthodox.
The straightening of his back and steady before he began his run-up, followed by the trademark windmill bowling action that would have opposition batsman scratching their heads - and Carmel players constantly reminding him that he is effectively bowling 12 balls an over rather than six.
Like his batting, Fergy’s approach to bowling was straightforward, opting for accuracy rather than pace, bounce or swing. But it seemed to work as he collected over 1400 wickets for the club, although the days of bowling 25 overs unchanged must have helped his figures – and left him calling for the ralgex.
Peter’s best bowling figures came against Bala on May 16, 1981 when he took 7/10 during a time when he was captain of Carmel’s First XI for four years from 1978 to 1982.
During his time with the club Peter also helped nurture and develop the junior players at the club helping chart the progress of players from Under-11 right up to First XI standard.
He coached and taught cricket in local schools always encouraging junior players as well as organising Kwik Cricket sessions to help give youngsters the chance to play the game.
Peter served Carmel off the field in a number of different roles. He was always helping – and hindering – groundsmen Neil Taylor and Tony Ryles. He also served as the club’s fixture secretary, which ensured Carmel’s cricket-hungry players were never short of games.
Fergy’s help was invaluable for the club’s recent EuroTwenty20 tournaments and he was able to make his international debut in the 2008 event when he played against Slovakia. Recognition by the rest of world cricket at last.
Peter was also involved with the North Wales Cricket League – serving as the Division Two representative on the committee and was a well-known face around the clubs. He would always stay for a pint at away fixtures and be left chatting to the members of other clubs even when the majority of their own players had gone home.
Away from cricket Peter was employed by HM Revenue and Customs for the majority of his working life which ensured the Carmel players were never short of a word or two about how much tax he was taking from them.
An occasional on the terraces at Wrexham FC as well as a regular in the Cross Keys pub in Sychdyn he was knowledgeable on a range of subjects including music, politics and literature. Definitely someone you wanted on your pub quiz team.
But inevitably Peter would always seem to be able to steer the conversation back to cricket – and specifically his beloved Carmel. Whether it was the technique of a junior player that needed improvement or something for the latest edition of the club newsletter - Sticky Wicket – which he edited.
Quite simply there will never be anyone like Peter Ferguson at Carmel again.
Our thoughts go out to the family, relatives and close friends of Peter at this sad time. Details of Peter’s funeral will be posted on here as soon as they become available.