Ensuring the name and reputation of Leslie Spearman is not forgotten

MEMORIES of the late Leslie Spearman - one of Armagh Cricket Club's past-masters – are guaranteed to live on following the presentation of two significant gifts by his daughter, Jane (now Johnston).

Friday morning saw her present the city’s cricket club with a plaque-bearing summer seat and a trophy named after her father.

Hereafter the Leslie Spearman Cup will be presented annually to the club's Best Under 11 Player.

And there will be a third reminder in February 2024 when a memorial tree is planted at The Mall where, for two decades, he excelled.

As a Primatial city native, he ticked every box, both as an Armachian and a cricketer. Having been born in Armagh, he also died here on April 9 past, aged 89. An Armagh CC social media message posted at the time described him as having been “one of our greatest ever”.

After captaining the Royal School, Leslie went on play for Armagh from 1950 to 1969, with the pinnacle of that 19-year period of magnificent service having been his season as skipper in 1957.

An all-rounder who made 238 senior appearances, he excelled with both bat and ball.

His highly impressive statistics show him as having scored 6,005 runs in 233 innings - an average of 28.3 – with his highest score having been an innings of 140.

His exploits with the ball were no less spectacular, witnessed by 434 wickets at an average of fractionally over 13 per scalp.

Whether judged by past or present standards, or expectations, those are exceptional statistics.

As an Armagh centurion – 100 or more 1st XI appearances – he was also a member of the
‘100 Club’.

Armagh CC stalwart Norman Graham – himself a past-captain of the Royal School who also went on to skipper the city’s seniors (1962 in his case) and another of the ‘100 Club’ members – told the Gazette, “Leslie was a wonderful cricketer, so we’re delighted to have these beautiful gifts by which to remember him. Having played such an important part in our history, it’s great that he is to be remembered this way.”

Club chairman Gareth McCarter agreed. He told the Gazette, “It’s a lovely gesture by the Spearman family to remember their late father in this way and we really appreciate Jane’s generosity in coming here this morning to formally present this trophy and this bench to us.

“Leslie was a legend here as his statistics confirm; that’s why he is still remembered so many years on from when he last played for us.

“As well as Armagh, he’s a legend in Mid Ulster cricket as a whole, which is why we’re so proud to be able to honour his name with these permanent memorials.

“He was so involved in junior cricket for such a long time that as well as his skill as a player he is remembered for having introduced so many young people to the game.

“That being the case, having a Player of the Year trophy for an Under 11s’ player is something we and the family felt was particularly appropriate.”

Leslie’s daughter Jane said, “He used to tell us about having played cricket here when he was a young fella and that obviously was something he really enjoyed, so it’s just nice to have his name remembered.”

Highlighting the fact that the new cup named after her father will go to an Under 11s’ player each year, Jane continued, “He was a school principal, so he taught P7 – how to play cricket as well as everything else.

“And people I went to school with – my generation – have told me what an inspiration he was to them. Some of them are still playing cricket, so it’s nice to know that he encouraged them to start something they’re still enjoying.

“I’m a Johnston now, but hopefully these things named after him will mean that the name Spearman lives on and isn't forgotten.”

With a cup and a bench named in his honour already in place, a tree to come in February and those remarkable statistics he achieved, take it as given that the name Leslie Spearman will continue to be remembered for a very long time to come.