Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is sad to note the death of former player John Minney at the age of 76.
Born in Finedon, John played five first-class matches for the County in the 1960s and was one of the last amateurs to represent Northamptonshire in the Championship.
After scoring heavily at Oundle School he went up to Cambridge University and played for the Light Blues in 14 first-class matches without gaining a blue.
His debut for Northamptonshire came in 1961 with games against Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Combined Services. He and captain Raman Subba Row were the only amateurs to represent the club that season; the distinction between ‘Gentlemen’ and ‘Players’ was abolished at the end of the following season.
After a gap of six years John returned to the side in July 1967 – scoring 42 in a low-scoring draw (on a ‘dubious’ pitch according to Wisden) against Notts at Worksop, and then a career-best 58 in his final innings to help set up a victory over Middlesex, with Fred Titmus at his best, at Wantage Road.
He also played Second XI cricket for Northamptonshire between 1957 and 1964 and was a regular for Oundle Rovers in the Cricketer Cup competition.
Northamptonshire CCC would like to extend its condolences to John’s family and friends.