Mike Jackson

It is with great regret that we report the death of Mike Jackson on Friday 26th June. A longstanding member of Reed Cricket Club and the father of current 1st Xl players Simon and Chris Jackson. Mike was diagnosed with cancer some 16 months ago and since that time had determinedly battled against the illness whilst retaining a good humour and positive outlook. Despite the ravages of his illness, and the side effects of treatments, Mike continued to maintain his personal interests and commitments and despite his personal problems and difficulties has been present supporting his sons and our teams at many 1st Xl matches throughout the last 2 seasons. As recently as 2 weeks ago Mike was present at Reed watching our team playing their Herts and Beds National Village Cup County Final.
 
Mike moved to the Royston area in the early 1980's. His longstanding personal playing interests in Football and Cricket came with him and were readily passed on to his sons Simon and Chris. Mike joined Reed Cricket Club and proved to be a fine top order batsman, a fierce competitor, and a pivotal member of a very successful Reed team of the 1980's, a period which saw the club establish itself in the now Saracens Herts Cricket League and enjoy a successful foray in the National Village Cup where we reached the last 16 nationally in 1988. Mike not only played sport himself but committed to coaching and managing both youth cricket and youth football. Mike demonstrated huge commitment to St Thomas Colts Football Club (now known as Royston Town Football Club Colts) and Simon and Chris both enjoyed successful playing careers moving through the age group teams shepherded and supported by their Dad. When the winter was over thoughts turned to Cricket and again Mike committed time and energy into coaching and managing the colts age groups teams in which his sons and their compatriots played. Even all that was not enough as Mike became a key member of the successful Royston Town Vets football team where he was still playing regularly and very effectively until only a few years ago.
 
In recent years Mike was a very regular follower of the Reed 1st Xl appearing at grounds around the county to support the side week in week out, home and away. He took particular pride and enjoyment in the recent series of successful playing years, many of them captained by son Simon with significant contributions from brother Chris, where a series of promotions saw our village club rise through the ranks and eventually break into Division 1 of the Saracens Herts League, a success primarily based on home bred talent developed from the youth cricket of which Mike was such a strong advocate and keen contributor. He will be sadly missed. 

I had the pleasure of playing with Mike for some 6 years until his "retirement". I say retirement because right up until his cancer fight began you could count on him to be available at short notice if need be.

I was his assistant coach for a season while he ran the Under 15s. His dedication to putting something back into the club and bringing through the youngsters was something Mike really enjoyed. Nothing gave him more pleasure in recent years than watching some of those colts move through the adult teams and having great success. He was the 1st XI biggest supporter, travelling home and away to follow the team. I will miss his advice and loyal support. Thank you Mike for all the help over the years - Baz

Didn't know what to say to Si and Chris on Sat but would like to say in writing how much encouragement and support Mike gave to myself and other younger players over the years. I didn't see him play but he was a superb clubman who I will deeply miss not seeing around reed anymore. Mike R.I.P - Richard Johnson

My first ever time cricketing with Mike was a successful batting partnership in a friendly game some years ago, I can remember it clearly to this day. Mike had not picked a bat up for the best part of a year but as I joined him at the crease he already looking in fine touch. Whilst I scratched around Mike continued to punish the ball to the boundary exclaiming he couldn't run the quick singles! His discipline and manner at the crease left me thinking 'wow'. Even better was the way he spoke to me in between overs - he made me concentrate and pointed out various positive aspects of my batting, eventually we forged at least a fifty partnership, contributing to a target in excess of 200 in the process.

I learnt a great deal in the colts set-up at Reed under other people I also hold in such high regard but that day made me feel ten feet tall and gave me a valuable experience of the adult game. It is no coincidence that Simon and Chris are as motivated as they are because they're Dad was a winner and a thoroughly good bloke! - Richard Barlow

I was very upset to hear of Mikes passing last Friday. Mike always made time to speak to you and always had a very positive outlook on life, be it criketing life or indeed his own illness.

My abiding memories of Mike are of his kind words about my dad, he would often talk about games they had played together with fondness, something that always made me feel immensely proud. I also remember his batting in games when I first started playing adult cricket. He always offered advice and encouragement in the middle, and it was always a pleasure to bat with him.

I know I’m not alone in thinking how much Reed will miss his presence around the place.  RIP Mike - Matt Bowles

Without having got to know Mike very well before playing with Simon and Chris in the 1st team, that soon changed once I began. Having I believe just stopped playing himself (bar a few guest appearances for us I seem to remember at the start of our great years of promotion under Simon!) Mike's committment to supporting the 1st team was second to none. It was not just that he was there but whenever you stopped and had the chance to speak to him he was always so very positive about the situation which was great if you needed a lift and a key ingredient to success on the pitch and in anything in life I guess. With that attitude and his much talked about natural ability it is of no suprise at all that he had such success in his playing days (and in his Football) and that Simon and Chris are too such good players.

I will miss Mike's support but I also know in whatever we can achieve we will be making him proud particularly if we do it in the right way. Mike knew how the game should be played. - James Heslam

I would like to share with you a cricketing memory of Mike Jackson that will stick with me for the rest of my life. In the early part of 1986 we travelled to Offley to play them in the John Barker Cup. We were bowled out for about 66 and then incredibly we beat them by about two runs. We felt we had aquitted ourselves terribly. Then on August 17th 1986 we met them at home in the North Herts League. I am sure that Mike was determined to show them how good we really we were.

We batted first and opened with Brian Bevan and Richard Apperley. Bevan was out for 7 with the score on 17 for 1, which brought Mike to the crease. Mike proceeded to put on 197 with Richard Apperley and eventually was out for 157 with score on 266 for three. Reed went on to score 327 for 3. This innings from Mike epitomised everything about the way that he played the game.

From the start he showed no fear, he was never tentative, he simply murdered the bowling. I can remember a pulled six that went through the old goal mouth and  a drive for six over extra cover. He made batting look so easy. He moved his feet to bowlers of all paces and with his open faced stance sent balls through cover point that should have gone through wide mid off. In this mood he was almost impossible to bowl to. Fittingly the record stand of 197 for the second wicket with Richard Apperley was eventually broken by his son Chris and Michael Curtis on July 28th 2001 when they put on 243* against Sandridge. However at his attacking best, I have not seen a batsman to match him at Reed in 28 years. - Richard Robertson