Bryan Tunney (1947-2024)

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Bryan Tunney just a month after his older brother Victor. Our condolences go out to his wife Anne and their family. He passed away on Tuesday 24th December 2024 following a long fight with cancer.

In a cricketing career spanning 1964 to 2002, Bryan was one of the best batsmen the club has ever known, but unfortunately the earlier records of his career have not yet been uncovered. Bryan scored at least 13,380 runs for the club including 6 centuries with a top-score of 122* runs not out against Burley-in-Wharfedale CC. Bryan skippered the 1st XI in 1984 and the 2nd XI for 3 seasons between 1992 and 1994.

Having won the Airedale & Wharfedale league’s U20s batting award in both 1967 & 1966, Bryan went on to win the league’s senior 1st XI batting award in 1971. Bryan won the club’s 1st XI batting award in 1982, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967 & 1966 as well as the 2nd XI batting award in 1990.

Bryan was also an accomplished cover fielding and won the club’s 1st XI fielding award in 1968. In his career he took 171 catches.

Bryan also had a distinctive bowling action, but he took 37 wickets with his slow accurate bowling. His best figures were 4 wickets for 26 runs against Townville CC in the Knutton Trophy.

It has  been a privilege to share a dressing room with Bryan. He was a formidable cricket player and great opening batsman. Along with Dave Emmott they formed a formidable opening partnership that paved the way for many a Steeton victory.

In the dressing room he was always prepared to pass on his knowledge and experienced, which usually meant the out-going batsman was exhorted to ‘graft’ for the runs

In the club Bryan was always an important voice in the general committee. Bryan was also the club’s treasurer for 6 years from 1986 to 1991.

He will be sadly missed.