Bingley legend who played for Lancashire dies aged 89

Standring, who also played 13 first class games for Lancashire between 1954 and 1960, is fondly remembered at both Old Trafford and Bingley.

He made his first-class debut in the Roses Match against Yorkshire at Old Trafford in 1954, where he shared the new ball with England star Brian Statham.

It was Standring who brought the Lancashire supporters to their feet when he bowled the great Len Hutton for two to claim his first County Championship wicket.

When Standring joined Bingley in 1960, it was seen as one of the biggest captures of the decade.

His performances were to establish him as one of the best Bradford League all-rounders in the post-war years, proving equally effective with bat or ball.

In today’s market he would be priceless in league cricket, having opened the batting and bowling so effectively.

Standring was Bingley’s outstanding player of the decade, and he proved it in 1963 by becoming the first winner of the Sir Learie Constantine All Rounders Trophy.

He averaged 51.00 with a total of 765 runs scored, and a highest score of 140 not out to add to his 38 wickets.

Although key players departed, it was still a shock when Bingley were relegated in 1965.

Ironically, Standring had his best season with the ball with 60 wickets at 10.31 to finish third in the league bowling averages.

In 1966, the Bingley team was rebuilt, and promotion was achieved at the first time of asking as champions of the Second Division, Standring leading the way with the bat by scoring 644 runs.

The 1969 season was a record-breaking one for the Bingley club.

The first team won the Division One title and the Priestley Cup while their second team lifted their league crown and the Priestley Shield.

Standring was again a model of consistency. He scored 542 runs at 49.27 and won the All Rounders Trophy for the second time in six years.

In all, Standring scored 6,534 Bradford League runs at an average of 35.32, while with the ball he took 411 wickets at an average of 15.16. 

He took five wickets or more on 26 occasions and had best figures of 7-25.

Standring also played club cricket for Farnworth, Bradshaw and Ribblesdale Wanderers before his job as a local government officer took him to Southport in 1974.

There he joined Southport & Birkdale, playing in their championship-winning sides of 1975 and 1979.

He was given honorary life membership for his services to the club as chairman and president.

Ken Standring is fondly remembered at Southport & Birkdale as a player, chairman and president. (Image: Lancashire CCC.)

Standring finished his playing days relatively early and turned his attention to coaching and administration, becoming assistant secretary to the Lancashire Cricket Board.

In 1999 he was honoured by Lancashire and made a vice-president for his outstanding work with the Lancashire Federation and promoting the game of cricket in Lancashire.

When Lancashire played at his beloved Southport & Birkdale he was always there watching.

Standring was a keen attendee at the Lancashire Former Players Association and at the age of 89, he was their oldest former player.

He will be sorely missed by cricket followers on both sides of the Pennines.