THE late former Worcestershire CCC wicket-keeper David Humphries has been remembered via a memorial service and then a celebration of his life.

Former team-mates, including Phil Neale, Martin Weston, Alan Ormrod and Paul Pridgeon, and David’s widow, Lorraine, were amongst those who attended the service at St. Nicholas Church, Warndon.

David’s son-in-law, Luke, addressed the 100 strong congregation and a bench in the church grounds, which the Humphries family contributed towards the cost of with other bereaved families, to honour David, was blessed by the vicar.

The congregation then attended a celebration of David’s life in The View at New Road.

David died in July 2020, aged 66, after a short illness.

He made 175 first class, and 167 List A appearances during his career from 1974 to 1985, scoring 6,755 runs and making a total of 431 catches and 95 stumpings.

Worcestershire’s current vice-chairman and cricket steering group chairman, Paul Pridgeon, was a close friend of David and his roommate as a player for eight years.

He said: “It was an emotional day and great to honour David in such a way.

“Apart from being a very good keeper and hard-hitting batsman, he was a gentle and affable soul and very popular with team-mates and members.

“There were a lot of good memories, and stories about David recalled at the celebration of his life which brought a smile to people’s faces.”

When he ended his cricketing career, David became a member of Worcestershire Golf & Country Club at Boughton Park for 28 years.

Alveley-born, Mr Humphries was a left-handed batsman in addition to being an excellent performer behind the stumps.

He played for Shropshire and then spent three years with Leicestershire before moving to New Road for the 1977 season and spending eight years with the County.

David scored his maiden First Class century against visiting Warwickshire the following season and his career best performance with the bat came in 1984 with 133 not out against Derbyshire at Blackfinch New Road.

His highest aggregate of dismissals in a campaign was 57 in 1979 including eight in a match at Derby.