Who is Dickie Bird and why his name is on the clock at Leeds stadium?

England's legendary umpire Dickie Bird got special honor as Leeds Stadium installed a clock with his name imprinted on it.


Who is Dickie Bird and why his name is on the clock at Leeds stadium?

Dickie Bird clock at Leeds Stadium (Images via Twitter, The Mirror)

England’s Dickie Bird is one of a kind. The veteran didn’t achieve any recognition for being a batsman. However, Bird earned all the appreciation and love for his stint as a cricket umpire. It won’t be wrong to say that Dickie Bird is the greatest umpire of all time who made the cricket fanatics love and respect the match officiators.  

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Born in Barnsley in April 1933, Bird kickstarted his journey as a right-hand batsman at Yorkshire. Making his debut in 1956 against Scotland, Bird had all the attributes to become a regular in Yorkshire’s playing XI. However, the presence of the bigger English stars in Yorkshire made it impossible for Dickie to feature in the playing XI on a regular basis. 

Thus, the right-hander decided to move to Leicestershire. Playing for Leicestershire, Bird did get a lot of chances to showcase his talent with the willow. However, the batter’s career never took flight, and hence the Englishman decided to take early retirement at the age of 32. 

After retirement, the Barnsley-born started taking an interest in the other aspects of the game. It was in 1970 that Dickie officiated his first game and after that, the 88-year-old never looked back. The right-hander went on to become one of the greatest umpires who was respected by both the fans and the players. 

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Dickie Bird gets special honor as Leeds install a clock with is name imprinted on it

england umpire dickie bird
Dickie Bird (Image via The Telegraph)

Dickie Bird’s first International outing as an umpire came in 1973 when he stood in a match between England and New Zealand. In 1992 he stood in Zimbabwe’s inaugural Test as the first ICC panel umpire. It was in 1996 that Bird officiated in his final Test match at the Lord’s. The legend received a standing ovation from the crowd as India locked horns with England at the Home of Cricket. 

One of the most celebrated moments of Dickie’s life came in 2002 when he unveiled a five-and-a-half foot diameter clock, designed and sponsored by Phillip Stoner Jewellery. The clock installed at Headlingley’s West Stand has Dickie’s name printed on it and was installed as a tribute to him for his services to the cricket fraternity. 

While unveiling the clock, the former umpire had said as quoted by Telegraph and Argus, “I’m so pleased, delighted and thrilled to be honored in this way. It means my memory will linger on at Headingley for many, many years to come which makes me feel very proud. 

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I’ve got so many happy memories of Headingley – I umpired my first Test, England against New Zealand, there in 1973. It’s just such an honor for my services to cricket to be honored in this way by the club at a ground that’s so steeped in history.”

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