The Bedford sporting community have stood up in unison over the last few days to remember one of the town’s greatest sportsmen, Norman Cooley, who has passed away aged 83.
While there are of course many Bedfordians who have had successful sporting careers, not many are able to do so across two different sports, with Cooley nicknamed the ‘Dennis Compton of Bedford’ for his efforts.
Born in Meppershall in January 1941, Cooley would go on to forge a successful career in both football and cricket, turning out for Bedford Town in the Southern League and for Bedfordshire County Cricket Club in the Minor Counties arena.
In playing a mighty 738 games for the Eagles in a football career spanning 18 years, Cooley established himself as a Bedford Town legend, also becoming the club’s groundsman well into his eighth decade. He was also a youth coach at the club.
In 2017, Cooley was recognised as the Southern League Groundsman of the Year, winning an award at a ceremony held at England’s training ground, St George’s Park.
Highly respected
Cooley was also the groundsman at Goldington Road for many years, with Bedford Blues paying tribute to him on Monday evening.
“Everyone at Bedford Blues was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Norman Cooley”, said the club in a statement on social media.
“A talented sportsman with Bedfordshire CCC and Bedford Town, Norman was highly respected as our groundsman for many years. Our thoughts are with Norman’s friends and family.”
Bedford Town Football Club also paid tribute on Tuesday morning.
“Bedford Town Football Club are saddened to learn of the recent passing of Norman Cooley who was a very popular and familiar face at the old and new Eyrie.
“Norman was a fantastic groundsman and worked at Bedford School over the years and latterly Bedford Rugby Club.
“He dedicated a lot of his time and efforts to the community of Bedford and was normally seen on a Saturday watching a game of rugby or football.
“Our sincere thoughts and condolences are with Norman’s beloved family and friends at this time. Another one of the Eagles’ family flying high.”
“Nobody better than Norman”
When football and rugby took a back seat for the summer, cricket took centre stage.
Cooley, who played for Bedford Town CC among other clubs, was also a fine wicketkeeper batsman, playing 61 Minor Counties fixtures for Bedfordshire, scoring 2,459 runs alongside 78 catches and 12 stumpings with the gloves.
He also became a local history maker, becoming the first Bedfordshire cricketer to score two centuries in the same minor counties match against Lincolnshire in 1964.
There were also five List A games for Cooley, the first of which came against Northamptonshire in the 1972 edition of the Gillette Cup with Essex and Lancashire also amongst his opponents.
Speaking to Bedford Independent, Former teammate and friend, Andy Curtis remembers Cooley as one of the best.
“From my experience in club and Minor Counties cricket there was nobody better than Norman outside the realms of the first class professional game”, said Andy.
“He was a highly talented batsman and wicketkeeper and – coming from a sports background at Elstow School where cricket coaching was non existent – he was very much self-taught, observing and imitating the technique of others.
“He never had a practice net, he’d simply turn up, walk to the crease and quietly play himself into form. A marvellous and natural talent.”
Other Bedfordians described Norman as “unrivalled” and, “one of Bedford’s greatest ever all round sportsmen” in remembering a man who gave so much to the local sporting landscape.
Norman is survived by his wife, and sons Alan and Peter.
