Village church packed to overflowing for funeral of ex-cricketer, administrator and umpire Bert Mitchell | 'it is a mark of how popular Bert was that the church is so full today' – parish priest Michael Wilkie

Bert Mitchell

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

IT was standing room only at the back of the church when the world of sport and the people of Kingskerswell said their fond farewells to all-round sportsman and life-long villager Bert Mitchell.

Mitchell, who died earlier this month aged 91, was born in the village, educated in the village, played cricket, tennis and football in the village, lived in the same house for 88 years in the villate and served as parish clerk for more than 20 years.

When Mitchell stopped playing cricket he trained as an umpire and went on to officiate in games for nearly 40 years.The late Bert Mitchell umpiring at Torquay. The bowler is Michael Hunt

He was also a devoted Torquay United supporter who first saw the team play in 1936 in a 2-0 win over Cardiff City. He remained a regular on the Popular Side of the Plainmoor Ground until ill health stopped him attending matches six or seven years ago.

More than 150 mourners wedged into the pews in St Mary’s Parish Church to say their goodbyes to a man at the heart of the community across eight decades.

Mitchell worked for accountancy firm Francis Clark in Newton Abbot for 47 years. He spent 18 months in the Royal Army Payt Corps stationed at Devizes shortly after joining Francis Clark. Workmates past and present turned out in force to say their goodbyes.

Among the mourners was the former Essex and England cricketer John Childs, who first stepped on to a cricket pitch in the 1960s as a member of a Kingskerswell cricket team captained by… Bert Mitchell.

In a personal tribute to the Mitchell family, Childs said: “I owed Bert a lot in those early days. He was a great man and friend.”

Mitchell’s coffin, decorated with a Torquay United supporter’s scarf, the cap he wore when umpiring cricket matches and the Lego bricks he used to count the balls bowled in an over, was carried into church by four pall bearers. One of them, Graham Pascoe, was a former umpiring colleague of Mr Mitchell’s.

The service was conducted by parish priest Michael Wilkie who, after glancing round the packed church, said: “It is a mark of how popular Bert was that the church is so full today.”

Former England cricketer John Childs in conversation with Michael Hunt at the reception that followed Bert Mitchell's funeralRev Wilkie reminded mourners that Mr Mitchell had been a chorister and later bell-ringer at the church, where he was also baptised and married.

Bert’s passion for football was acknowledged by the choice of music for the first hymn: Abide With Me, which is traditionally sung by supporters prior to the FA Cup final.

Shona Charlton, a close friend of the Mitchell’s, delivered a eulogy to Mr Mitchell on behalf of the family.

Mitchell’s love of sport was highlighted numerous times and one particular anecdote produced a ripple of laughter around the church.

Mrs Charlton told how Bert and wife Shirley were travelling back from their honeymoon in Bournemouth when Mr Mitchell asked his new wife if they could detour home via Exeter?

“Exeter City were playing Torquay United in a football match that Bert wanted to see,” said Mrs Charlton. “That’s when Shirley realised what she had let herself in for.”

Mrs Charlton also revealed how Shirley had no idea Bert was a cricketer until after they were married although ‘she had wondered where he went on Saturday afternoons…’

Bert and Shirley were married for nearly 64 years, which was one of a number of notable landmarks referred to by Mrs Charlton.

“For those of you who like numbers Bert was married for 63 years, worked for the same company for 47 years, apart from 18 months’ National Service in the pay corps, was parish clerk for 22 years, a bell-ringer for 22 years a Devon badminton selector for 25 years and a Torquay United supporter for 85 years,” she said. “He certainly had stickability.”

Mitchell was a player, first-team captain, chairman, president and life member of the Kingskerswell Cricket Club from its reformation in 1957. He was also a football goalkeeper – good enough to play for the Army Cadets XI against Scotland – until a hip injury ended his career.

Bert Mitchell is survived by his wife, children Jenny and Paul and grandchildren Charlie and Chelsea. The service was followed by a ‘pasty-and-pint’ reception at the village cricket club.

A private cremation took place the day (July 27) after the funeral service.

Flashback to 1987 and club chairman Bert Mitchell is pictured in the front row of this Kingskerswell team group. Back (left to right): John Haly, Ian Woodcock, Barry Page-Dove, Rob Lee, Dave Holley, Paul Mardle, Jason Rossiter, Bill Rossiter. Front: Bill Webster, Martin Mundy, Bert Mitchell. Marcus Haly and Mike Rowse