Douglas Cameron Obituary
Douglas Cameron, who has passed away at his home in Lancaster the age of 90, had been closely involved with Lancashire County Cricket Club since he became joint manager of the Lancashire Cricket Federation with the late Jim Gledhill in 1963, close friend and colleague Paul Fitton writes.
Born in Kendal, he went to school at Heversham GS before going on to study physics at Leeds University. It was there that he first watched Len Hutton open the batting for Yorkshire and no doubt missed the odd lecture in the hope of seeing the great man in the middle at Headingley. Sir Len, as he became, was the standard by which he judged all batsmen, and at Lancashire, only Michael Atherton came close to matching him.
After graduating, he took up his one and only teaching post at Lancaster Royal Grammar School in 1952, very soon taking over the running of the cricket, which he immediately started to transform. Quiet and unassuming he proceeded to produce cricket sides that were more than a match for the grammar and public schools in the north west. Founded on tight spin bowling and aggressive fielding, the first X1 went unbeaten between 1963 and 1967. In 1983, Douglas became Second Master at LRGS, and after retirement in 1991 his close involvement with the school continued as President of the Old Lancastrian Club and school Governor, a position he only stepped down from earlier this year.
Many of his happiest times were spent with the inimitable Jim Gledhill running the Lancashire Cricket Federation sides between 1963 and 1991. Jim was very much the front man, an extrovert, a fine judge of a young cricketer, he could become excitable while Douglas was the calm and thoughtful head in the background. The highlight of the Federation year was the Cambridge Festival, the winners of which went on to play the Oxford winners, the sides triumphing under the captaincy of both Andrew Wild and Michael Atherton.
In 1985, Doug was immensely proud to be made a Vice President of Lancashire County Cricket Club, an honour he repaid in full. After his retirement he made the trip from Lancaster to Old Trafford regularly in the summer months, with his wife, Mary. Whereas Mary preferred the congeniality of the Committee Room, where she could talk to all within earshot, Doug could always be found in the much missed TCCB Box at the old Stretford End, watching and studying the play quietly from behind the bowler’s arm.
Former Lancashire player and England Captain Mike Atherton said. “Generations of cricketers from Royal Lancaster GS and the Lancashire Federation benefited from Doug’s wise counsel and enthusiasm. He’ll be greatly missed”.