Paul Kilduff - A Tribute With the passing of Paul Kilduff, the Club has lost one of it’s Honorary Life members, an award given in recognition of his contribution to the Club. Paul was a also very fine player and a cheerful friend to many over his 40 plus years with the club. Paul joined the club around 1980 from Kodak CC. Paul, or PKD or Duff, as he was frequently known, was a genuine allrounder. Whilst he could bowl medium pace, it was as a big spinner of his off breaks that secured most of his wickets. He was also a very competent batsman, but due to his bowling duties often batted lower than his undoubted skill deserved. He has the rare distinction of winning both the Club’s Batting (Rice Cup) and Bowling (Todd Cup) awards. He was also an excellent fielder, particularly in the gully, relying on his own idiosyncratic method to hold on to almost everything flying his way. Before he joined Dunstable these all-round skills were successfully displayed in the Harrow single wicket tournament when he was selected to play against the best players in the area. The Club’s records are not complete, but they do show that Paul took 118 wickets in 1989 and more than 50 wickets in a season on at least 11 times. Our records show that he took 1266 wickets and whilst we cannot be sure, he may well have been the club’s record wicket-taker. They also record 243 catches. Paul played until he was in his early 60’s - in these latter years giving youngsters the benefit of his experience - including asking a 7-year old Rob Keogh to play, making him DTCC’s youngest cricketer in a senior side. It was in the Saturday 4th team towards the end of his career that Paul had bowling figures against Broxbourne of 8 for 11 off 10 overs – a game he also top scored in! As well as many 1st team appearances in, Paul captained the Saturday 2nd XI in the mid to late 1980’s. Paul also made the tour to South Wales on several occasions with the Club. Whilst we inevitably lost some games on tour, there was a belief that we were always competitive and never embarrassed. This was put to the test at Skewen, in one of Paul’s latter tours, where after a rain delay, our top order had fallen apart, perhaps due to our host’s lunchtime hospitality. Paul stopped the rot with a rearguard half century, which saved our respectability, if not the game! Paul played cricket for Lancashire schools as a youngster and showed ability in every sport he played. Whilst Paul played semi-pro football in his twenties, he switched to rugby as a skilful fly-half for Dunstablians until his late 30’s and played golf until very recently. He was also an excellent Bridge player representing the county on several occasions. Paul has the distinction of Honorary Life membership awarded primarily for two major contributions. Firstly, as fixture secretary in the days before email and when only the Saturday 1sts and 2nds had league cricket and all other fixtures had to be individually arranged. Secondly, for buying all the teas, sometimes for four home games a weekend and dividing the produce between the teams and tea ladies. Both these roles extended over many years. Paul is also part of the closest thing we have to a family dynasty at DTCC, with son Richard, and grandson Jack, both playing with distinction for the Club 1st team. All three generations have represented the County, Paul at over 50s, Richard at under 19s and Jack for the senior County side. All three have won the Jim Conway Cup, awarded to the Player of the Year, Jack this year, whilst Paul and Richard won in 1990 and 1996 respectively. But for all his sporting ability, many of us will remember Paul fondly as a friend, as a competitive but sporting player and a generous man to whom a joke and a laugh were never far away. And those who played with him will also remember that he would always insist on driving to games – a good safe driver but a man to whom speed limits were always an optional extra! The sincere condolences of the club are extended to Ann, Richard, Andrea, Jack, Lauren, Barry, Erin and Paige. Compiled by John McDougal with help from Richard Kilduff, Brian Chapman, Rob Simpkins and Ian Keogh.
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