SADNESS

Glenavon is saddened to learn of the passing of former director and committed supporter Michael Reith.

Michael was a board member from October 2005 to October 2006.

He started his working life in the Goodyear Factory in Craigavon and subsequently joined Banbridge District Council. He was, for many years, its Director of Leisure Services.

He will, of course, be chiefly remembered for his outstanding cricket career.

Reared on the main street in Waringstown he was a member of the village’s all-conquering team of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. A brilliant opening batsman and formidable medium pace bowler, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players Ireland has ever produced. Some of his achievements are unlikely to be surpassed.

He imbibed a passion for bat and ball from childhood. By his early teens it was clear that he was destined for greatness. In 1963 he made his senior debut at the age of just fourteen. In 1965 he represented both Ulster Schools and Irish Schools, was invited for special coaching by the M.C.C. at Lord’s and won the first of his many Senior Challenge Cup winners’ medals.

By the late 1960s, batting left-handed, he had formed a formidable opening partnership with Roy Harrison and had begun to take wickets with his menacing right arm deliveries. He scored 100 runs in the 1967 Cup Final triumph over Muckamore and plundered an even more impressive century in the 1971 victory against Downpatrick. In the 1979 Final he took 5-58 in the first innings against Woodvale.

During one of many title-winning league campaigns in the 1970s, Michael was a member of a Waringstown team which remarkably won every single fixture.

In the early 1970s he emigrated to Sydney, Australia with his lifelong friend Neville Clarke. He played grade cricket in New South Wales for two full seasons.

In 1980 North Down persuaded him to become the first-ever locally born professional. In 1981 he posted bowling figures of 12-103 in the Comber club’s Cup Final win against Cliftonville

Michael subsequently returned to Waringstown and captained it to league titles in both the 1984 and 1985 seasons before retiring.

His early team-mates at the Lawn included Glenavon President Gordon Irwin. Later he nurtured the brilliant Dennison brothers, Davy and Robbie, both popular players at Mourneview Park.

In July 1969 he made his international debut at Sion Mills on the famous day when Ireland bowled out the West Indies for just 25 runs. It remains one of the most sensational performances in the long history of the game. Over the next eleven seasons he gained 44 caps making one century and eleven fifties. Later he had a spell as international team manager.

Michael was also a talented footballer. He played for Waringstown, a Mid-Ulster League club formed in the 1960s by the Villagers’ cricketers. He was a redoubtable centre half. Some suggest that had it not been for his other sporting commitments he could have played in the Irish League.

If he had opted to concentrate on football, he would undoubtedly have placed his talents at Glenavon’s disposal. His father, Pete, had been a member of the team which played Cliftonville in the club’s first competitive fixture after the Second World War. After he hung up his boots, Pete regularly brought young Michael to matches at Mourneview Park and he quickly became a diehard fan.

The Waringstown man, usually in the company of Neville Clarke and another long-time friend, Ken Tyndall, rarely missed a match, home or away. The trio often collaborated to support the club’s fundraising efforts.

Michael looked forward to each game and enjoyed every success. His attractive, kind and thoughtful disposition made him a respected and popular figure.

Glenavon has lost a much-loved member of its extended family.

Sincere condolences are extended to wife Margaret and daughters Caroline and Emma and the rest of the Reith family.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Michael’s life will be held at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Banbridge, on Wednesday 19^th November at 2 pm.

Be Just and Fear Not.

NOTE: The venue for the funeral is definitely Holy Trinity Parish Church, Banbridge.