Victor Tunney (1945-2024)

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Victor Tunney, known as Vic. Our condolences go out to his wife Hazel and their family. He passed away on Monday 25th November 2024 following a serious illness.

Vic was one of the club’s best ever all-rounders, but unfortunately the earlier records of his career have not yet been uncovered. Vic scored at least 3,846 runs took at least 370 wickets and took at least 90 catches, in a career spanning 1964 to 1991. Vic played at least 210 matches and was 1st XI skipper between 1967 and 1970. On 16 occasions he took 5-wicket hauls and he scored 2 centuries: 101* not out against Addingham C.C. and exactly the same score 101* at Gargrave C.C.

Vic had a wonderful season in 1977 when he scored 404 league runs and took 47 league wickets, including a fantastic match against top-team Knaresborough C.C., when he scored 72* runs not out and took 5 wickets for 61 runs. He also had his best bowling return of 7 wickets for 46 runs at Tong Park C.C. in 1977 and that year he won both the 1st XI’s batting award and bowling award. Also he won the 1st XI batting award in 1976; and the 1st XI bowling award in 1972, 1966 & 1964; and the 1st XI fielding award in 1967.

He was a formidable cricket player with a great will to win. His batting style was a fast-scoring middle-order batter and he bowled a fast medium paced swing.

In the dressing room he was an old-fashioned pro – he would be the first to tell you to tuck your shirt in…or whiten your boots…or take your hands out of your pockets. He would argue vehemently with his brothers, but woe betide anyone else tried who dared to argue with any one of them. The brothers would immediately unite against anyone else!

In the club Vic never held any of the club’s official offices, but he was a regular general committee man, who was eager to get stuck and help. He had stints as groundsman and junior coach.

He will be sadly missed.