Cricket umpire, 88, back for more - insisting he's 'too quick' to be hit by ball
Britain's oldest cricket umpire is back for his 72nd season - and has no plans to end his own personal innings.
Keith Dibb, 88, has enjoyed a remarkable stand since he began officiating in 1952, taking charge of 1,000 matches.
He is still going strong despite standing at the stumps for up to six hours during games.
Keith, who has won the umpire’s award three times for Yorkshire’s Dales Council League, said: “I’ve not got any fear of being hit by the ball because I can still move around fairly quickly.
"And I’m insured with the English Cricket Board for £15,000, so I’ve got the blessing from them.”
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Keith has been umpiring since 1952 (William Lailey / SWNS)
Keith Dibb is not quitting any time soon (William Lailey / SWNS)Aged 13, the former medium bowler joined a local team in North Yorkshire where he grew up.
He began as an umpire in 1952 because he was 11th in the batting order and had not missed a season of cricket since.
After he finished playing at the age of 47, he took up the role full-time and is still going strong despite his age.
His early days behind the wicket for rural Hawksworth Cricket club, in Leeds, were a far less glamorous affair.
Keith, of Leeds, West Yorks., said: “We started in a field with cows in the corner, and we had to move them off before play.
“I had a wheelbarrow and a shovel and I cleared the cowpat so we could start playing.”
Keith is pals with Dickie Bird (William Lailey / SWNS)Keith’s late wife of 59 years Margaret used to make the teas at the same club, and their children Nigel, 56, and Wendy, 54, both grew up playing the game.
He added: “When my son was born, my wife said ‘don’t get him into cricket’.
But he followed me around when I played and was always playing with a plastic bat.
“My daughter always played cricket. Her mother was making teas and her father and brother played together.
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“She didn’t want to be left out so she eventually joined a ladies team.”
Keith got to know Dickie Bird, whose 90th birthday he attended at Headingley stadium in April.
The pair had first met 15 years ago at Retford Gala in Nottinghamshire and had struck up a friendship after Keith offered to drive him back home.
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