A man who took up club cricket in his 30s and became team captain has died - soon after playing the game he loved.

Geoff Knowles of Cross Roads, who worked in insurance, died on Saturday aged 53. He had just played for Cross Roads in their match against Riddlesden in the Bradford Central League.

Mr Knowles' first sporting passion was soccer and he played the game as a winger from a small boy until his 30s, mainly for Haworth.

His close friend John Pullen, of Cullingworth, had just returned from holiday in Greece with Mr Knowles and his wife Lynda. He says Mr Knowles had enjoyed a good game and he, his wife and friends were due to meet later in the day. Mr Pullen says he understands Mr Knowles felt ill, went to bed and was later taken to Airedale Hospital at Steeton. Mr Knowles is belie-ved to have died of a heart attack. "Geoff was the life and soul of the party," says Mr Pullen. "Everybody knew him and warmed to him when they met him."

Mr Knowles has been first and second team captains for Cross Roads and as a youth had soccer trials for Leeds Utd.

He leaves a wife, three children and two grandchildren. His funeral is at St James' Church, Cross Roads, at 11am today.

Sporting tribute, page 16

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