A WORCESTER-based cricket club for players aged over 50 has been celebrating three members who reached their 90s.

Ninety members of the Fossils and guests gathered at Worcestershire County Cricket Ground in New Road, Worcester, to pay tribute to these elder statesmen of the game on the very day that one of them, Derek Russell, celebrated his 90th birthday.

Tales from the crease and tributes were paid to members Tony Rubery, who sadly passed away aged 90 earlier this year; former Worcestershire County Cricket wicketkeeper Roy Booth, aged 91 who was unable to attend, and Mr Russell.

Fossils founder John Reynolds, who organised the event with his wife Margaret, said Tony Rubery wasn’t an outstanding player but he was a cricket fanatic. He played in the Fossils inaugural match in 1995 and made his last appearance for the club in 2007 aged 80.

He then became one of the Friends of the Fossils and donated the Tony Rubery Cup that the Fossils play for each year on what has become known as Tony Rubery Day.

Mr Reynolds said: “He was a very placid person and a cricket fanatic – he would never let you down. He would always be there.”

Another Fossils member Paul Thompson paid tribute to Roy Booth who was the first president of the club.

Born in Yorkshire, Mr Booth was a talented footballer and cricketer moving to Worcestershire in 1956 and helping the team to greater success than ever before during his 13 years with it.

Mr Thompson said he was the last wicket-keeper to have completed 100 dismissals in an English first-class season, and achieved this twice - in 1960 and 1964, when he made exactly 100 dismissals.

After his professional retirement he held several positions with the county cricket club and then became president of the Fossils.

Mr Russell, who has been the Fossils president since 2000 and was presented with a specially made cake to celebrate his 90th birthday, said he was thrilled to be part of the celebrations.

“Cricket has been the salvation of my life – especially after I lost my wife. I have thoroughly enjoyed my cricket and sporting career. It has been thoroughly enjoyable representing the Fossils.”

Mr Russell retired from playing aged 52 but became heavily involved with youth coaching. “I like getting involved with cricket one way or another. Twenty years ago you would not think of 60 or 70 year-olds playing cricket. It is being active that is the important thing,” he said.

“I was not the best player but I really enjoyed it. The thing that makes cricket special is the sportsmanship and comradery and you make friends for a lifetime.”

A prize drawn at the celebratory event raised £240 for Mr Russell’s chosen charities of The British Heart Foundation and the Worcestershire Cobham Cricket Trust.