West Midlands club cricket has lost one of its most popular figures with the passing of Bill Jordan at the age of 81 following a lengthy illness.

Bill was best known within the Birmingham & District Premier League as a member of the umpires' panel during the early 2000's.

Always liked and respected by players, Bill had previously stood in the Midlands Combined Counties league after calling time on his playing career in his early 50's.

Although unmistakably a native of the West Midlands, Bill lived much of his life in South Warwickshire and as a result played for Kenilworth Wardens from the mid 1970's to the early 1990's.

He was a useful medium pace bowler and popular captain who is fondly remembered by a generation of now not-so-young cricketers who at some point during their adolescent lives came under his wing.

Bill contributed huge amounts to his club and in the late 1980's during his time as Cricket Chair oversaw Wardens' move from Leyes Lane to their current home at Glasshouse Park.

He leaves wife Evelyn, daughter Vicky and son James who much to Bill's pride became an outstanding all-rounder that captained Wardens when the club was first promoted to the BDPCL's top flight in the early 2000's.

Bill's funeral takes place at 2pm on March 12th at Oakley Woods crematorium near Warwick with mourners subsequently invited to Kenilworth Wardens.