CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
More tributes will appear on Sunday

TRIBUTES and fond memories of Devon youth cricket coach and mentor Alan Swift have been pouring in since his death at the age of 81.

Swift, a retired teacher, had a relationship with club and county youth cricket that spanned four decades up to his retirement in 2016. Among his many achievements was inaugurating the annual Development Tour to South Africa for 14 and 15 year olds in 2002. It is still going strong today.

Among the hundreds of youngsters to take part in the two-week tour was future England all-rounder Dom Bess. He said the South African tours he went on helped shape his future path, but there was more to Alan Swift than being a travel courier!

"When you start out in the Devon set-up, there’s always a couple of stages in it you’re looking forward to. That starts with the Taunton Festival, then quickly moves to the main event of the South Africa tour, which I was lucky enough to go on twice (2011 & 2012) due to ‘Swifty’. 

"I can clearly remember Alan holding back myself, Marcus Hoddinott and Jack Maunder at Barton CC and telling us we are going with the year above. It’s still one of the most exciting and shocked moments I’ve had. I was convinced he was going to tell us off again as a trio!

Alan's care for Devon cricket is one of the big reasons so many have gone through to professional cricket and also to play for Devon. Not forgetting all the other professional sports as well, including rugby players Billy Searle and Jack and Sam Maunder, to name but a few! No doubt Alan was one of many people in the county that helped make that happen.

Alan’s kindness, care and certainly dry sense of humour (and occasional words of him telling me off in the way he did) will always stick by me.

Alan Swift is one of many people I have to thank in my cricketing journey. His time and hard work in the youth set-up no doubt played a huge role in where I am now. 

Rest in Peace Alan.

Dom Bess
Sidmouth CC, Devon CCC, Somerset and Yorkshire CCCs, Southern Rocks England Lions, England (2018-2021)

Devonian Chris Read, who played more than 50 times for England in all three formats of the game, had a stint coaching on the South African tour. His memory of Swift revealed another side to him.

“I remember fondly that Alan used to invite me to the youth fund-raising golf day and dinner each year. 

“Every year I’d tell him that I don’t play golf, but would be at the dinner. He couldn’t fathom how I wasn’t interested in playing so one time took it upon himself to sign me up to play and subsequently told me to arrive 24 hours early as he’d booked me a lesson with the club pro.

“Despite me protesting about not having clubs or kit, I duly turned up, had my one and only golf lesson and hacked my way round the course the following day, ‘Swifty’ generously paying for club hire and some suitable attire!”

Chris Read
Devon CCC, Nottinghamshire CCC and England, South African tour coach

Jim Parker toured toured South Africa in a parent role in 2002 and returned twice in a coaching capacity. He said the characteristics Swift displayed as a player were evident as a coach.

“Unfortunately I’m old enough to remember playing against Alan when Plymouth were playing out of Peverell Park. They were always tough and very competitive games with, let’s say, a ‘no-nonsense’ approach.

“Alan brought that old-school skill and sentiment with him when he managed both men’s football and county youth cricket teams. His knowledge of the game was immense and his contacts book overflowing.

“He helped many, many players go on to make a living out of cricket and was hugely respected wherever he went.

“My thoughts are with his family.

Jim Parker
Trustee Devon Cricket Foundation, Devon County Age-Group chair, county coach and manager,
chair/cricket manager Barton CC

Martin Webb, who went on the first tour to South Africa in 2002, also higlighted Swift's old-school approach as a strength.

“Alan Swift’s huge contribution to Devon Cricket will be irreplaceable, more than anything else because of his style.

“Alan was old school – he did not suffer fools gladly – and it was an approach with so much going for it, such as discipline.

“As a coach educator he was excellent – he took me through my level-one course back in 1992 – and must have done the same to hundreds of others.

“Together with Jon Mears and the late Ted Ashman (both teachers), Alan brought an educational approach to youth cricket that worked.

“The South Africa tour has to be the highlight of what Alan did. Without him it would not have taken place. He set the whole thing up and the second-to-none relationships he made ensure the continued success of the tour all these years later.”

Martin Webb
Former Devon Cricket Board secretary. DCB Coaches’ Association secretary
and Devon under-17/18 team manager

Another recruit to the South African backroom team was former Devon all-rounder Tim Ward, who said it was a ‘privilege’ working alongside Swift.

“I was fortunate to coach alongside ‘Swifty’ for a number of years, and in that time we spent countless hours talking about how we could help improve the players’ game. He was an incredibly kind and generous man who gave so much to Devon cricket, and it was a real privilege to have shared so much time with him. 

“Alan’s dry sense of humour was infectious, and he had a wonderful way of lifting those around him. On our tours to South Africa, he was always determined that the players made the very most of the experience. 

“Thanks to his deep friendships with Frik and many other colleagues, the group were able to truly experience Kruger and Cape Town, both on and off the pitch. 

“For ‘Swifty’, it wasn’t just about playing cricket to a high standard; it was about embracing every opportunity, taking in the culture, and creating memories that would last a lifetime. 

“Alan always had the players’ best interests at heart and ensured every trip was as special as it could possibly be.”

Tim Ward
Paignton CC, Devon CCC, South Africa tour coach

Justin Yau, who went on the second South Africa tour in 2003, also described being part of the group as a ‘privilege’.

“‘Swifty’ was a brilliant man who made playing cricket for the Devon Youth age groups a true privilege. He was intelligent, with an unwavering passion for supporting cricket in state schools, and he helped so many of us become more than just cricketers – better people.

We shared many long conversations about cricket in all its forms, especially across Devon, and he had a huge influence on our age group in 2003. Most of all, he always put us first, ahead of the game itself, and supported us in every way possible.

“I’ll miss his witty sense of humour and I am so grateful for the impact he has had on me both in the teaching profession and in cricket. I am thinking of his family at this incredibly difficult time. RIP ‘Swifty’ you legend!”

Justin Yau
Devon U12-U21s 2000-2009, Devon CCC 2016, Torquay CC captain 2008-11, 2013-2017,
Congresbury CC captain 2019-present

Matt Thompson, a South Africa tourist in 2007, said Swift was a tireless worker as far as youth cricket is concerned.

“Alan worked tirelessly to facilitate memorable opportunities for Devon youth cricketers. The annual South Africa tour was always the highlight of your youth career and you wanted to impress ‘Swifty’ to make that trip. What a brilliant legacy he’s left behind.” 

Matthew Thompson
Former Devon CCC captain, Torquay CC, ECB Unicorns, South Africa tourist 2007