[Cricket] RIP The Village Bradman, Brian Huffer

[hans kraay fan club]

Last week we lost my Dad, Brian Huffer, once referred to on here as The Village Bradman.

Sharing on here, because plenty will have known him either at the Amex (Bupa Lounge), in the 60’s and 70’s as a fine footballer (Pulborough / Storrington / County side) but more likely over 5 decades playing amateur cricket through Sussex.

[MENTION=29192]Brighton Lines[/MENTION] [MENTION=20]Publius Ovidius[/MENTION] and others will have known him playing for Patcham / Patcham Priory in the Brighton League, but lots more will have known him as the bedrock of Parham Park Cricket Club for 50 years (1966 to 2015)

29,000 runs, on Sundays alone. Probably 20,000 of them from his go-to late cut.

Fine talent. Wonderful man. Going to be desperately missed.

[tweet]1313056488424865792[/tweet]

His funeral is this coming Monday. So sad that the cursed covid situation, means that he will be denied the kind of send-off he so deserved, but there will be some form of web-link for those who can’t be accommodated. Anyone who knew him and wants those details, can pm me.

The family invite donations to the wonderful folk at the Martlets, in his honour.

https://brianpaulhuffer.muchloved.com

 

[dazzer6666]

So sorry to hear fella. Thoughts with you and your family,

 

[LamieRobertson]

Echo Dazzers comments

 

[Thunder Bolt]

My condolences to you, and your Mum. Please give her my regards.

 

[Sheebo]

Shit news - very sorry to hear x

 

[Eeyore]

Very sad to hear of this news, and firstly my thoughts go to you and yours [MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION]

Everyone on the village circuit knew that to defeat Parham Park you had to have a plan to get Brian out. The only problem was that there wasn't one. You needed an error.

We did win on the one occasion I played against him, somehow limiting him to a paltry 30. Higher than most of our averages. He'd averaged 100 the previous year.

I did well as a bowler on the village circuit but was punished by Brian during that match. I was young and looking forward to putting him in his place- which in this case was master to my student. I remember slightly over-pitching and seeing the ball cruising to the mid-off boundary. His batting was old school, no exaggerated shots, neat footwork, side-on, ruthless through the off-side. He just accumulated runs in his understated manner. He was a giant of the village game who, despite being so revered, was also very understated in character. He was just another player in his team. I got a sense of humility from him. He simply loved playing cricket.

Names come and go in Sunday cricket, but Brian's name will always remain, for all the right reasons, and also for the fact that he was the Village Bradman. He may have been Parham Park's finest opening bat, but when one thinks of Sunday cricket, especially in what seems like its twilight years, he is also one of its greatest names.

RIP.

 

[Razzoo]

Sorry for your loss, that's a great photo.

 

[AZ Gull]

Sorry to hear of your loss [MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION]

 

[Gwylan]

Sorry to hear of your loss fella. What a fine role model to have had

 

[Lincolnshire Seagull]

Condolences

 

[Insel affe]

Condolences to you and your family.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Condolences to you and yours.

 

[Chicken Run]

So sorry to hear this, I played with and against Brian on many occasions, my thoughts with the whole Huffer family.


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[Biffer]

How terribly sad. Lovely man.
My wife used to work with your mum for many years.
Heartfelt condolences to your whole family.

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[darkwolf666]

Now there's a man who the analogy "he had a good innings" was made for.

My condolences to you and your family at this even more difficult time!

 

[Algernon]

Sorry to read this hkfc.
Seems like he was a top bloke and will be missed by many.
My condolences.

 

[seagull_special]

My condolences, sport is not all about superstars and million pound contracts, it’s also about people who love sport and contribute to clubs and their community. He sounds like a great man.

 

[Guinness Boy]

RIP and huge condolences to you and your family. As Brighton Lines and Chicken Run have noted, everyone in Sussex cricket either seemed to know him or know of his reputation!

 

[The Clamp]

Sorry to hear this. My condolences. He sounds like he was a fine man.

 

[Icy Gull]

Condolences and so sad that a proper send off is not possible in these times