ONE of Wellington’s greatest ever cricketers, Dennis Fullstone, has died, aged 89, following a long illness.

Wellington Cricket Club chairman Mark Salter said Mr Fullstone was a ‘club legend’.

Mr Salter said the club learned of his death ‘with great sadness’, especially coming so soon after the death of his wife Margaret late last year, who had been a scorer for the cricket club for many years.

The couple had been married for 65 years. They were predeceased by their son, Neil, who also played cricket and rugby and died after an illness about six years ago.

Mr Salter said: “This must come as a huge blow to his daughter Sue and her family.”

Mr Fullstone’s funeral will be held in the Taunton Deane Crematorium, Taunton, next Friday (March 3) at 2.30 pm.

Mr Salter said: “Dennis was truly a legend at Wellington Cricket Club.

“He was until recently our leading wicket taker with 1,106 wickets in a career that started in 1959 when he moved over from Tonedale, and ended in 2006.

“His commitment to cricket did not finish then as he umpired for our seconds and juniors and in the West Somerset League for several years afterwards.

“He, Margaret, and their late son Neil, devoted many hours to our club and were the backbone of all things playing-related throughout the 70s, 80s, and into the 90s.

“Many of us do not remember the pace that Dennis had in his early career, but his ability to swing the ball from left arm around the wicket off three paces will live in many memories, as will the mischievous smile as many right-handers departed having been bowled around their legs.

“Our thoughts are with the Fullstone family at this very difficult time.”

Mr Fullstone was evacuated to Wellington from the East End of London at the start of World War 2.

His daughter Sue West said: “He could remember coming down from the railway station and walking down Springfield Road to Linden School, where they were issued to families.”

Mrs West said her father returned to London after the war at the age of 15 and worked for about two years in a Tate and Lyle factory, which he disliked.

She said: “He came back to Wellington because in London, ‘they did not play cricket’ and he came back to the family he had been evacuated to.”

He was aged 69 and still playing when he became a record holder with more than 1,100 wickets, and his innings record of 9 for 37 runs was still shared with another notable cricketer, Simon Spalding.

Mr Fullstone was known for not wearing cricket shoes, opting instead for a pair of white plimsolls, and for his short, three-step run-up, which deceived batsmen as to the pace at which he bowled.

He umpired until the age of 81 and afterwards took up bowls for a few years, playing at the Wellington club until illness stopped him.

Mr Fullstone was a lifelong West Ham football supporter, and loved sport in all its forms.

He worked as a weaver for Fox Brothers, and then joined the Milk Marketing Board, before being employed by Relyon until his retirement.