It is with great sadness that we learned last week that Joe had lost his long battle with illness and our community had lost a most loved and respected gentleman. Those of us who had the good fortune to know Joe will still have and always will have very fond memories of times passed and of someone who loved his sport and as a very proud Welshman be it of course Rugby Union, Swansea City or cricket Joe was a most knowledgeable and enthusiastic follower of all those sports and in this testimonial I would like to pay tribute to the part played by Joe in the history of Cogenhoe Cricket Club.
Joe first played for Cogenhoe in 1968 and at an age when most people would have considered umpiring or scoring as an option but as a wily spinner Joe still had much to offer. Joe`s first appearance for Cogenhoe was on Sunday 26 th August 1968 in a friendly game against Clarence. With Clarence batting first Cogenhoe s opening attack of Joe`s future son in law Bob Sketchley and fellow Welshman and great friend Les Robjohns soon had the opposition in trouble and after 14 overs they were 30-3. Joe was then brought onto bowl and his first delivery was promptly dispatched for 4 by the batsmen Frost. Two balls later and Mr Frost was heading back to the pavilion caught David Bliss bowled Joe Deer for 24. Joe`s first set of bowling figures for Cogenhoe read 6-2-23-3 not a bad start. It was almost a year later before Joe made his Cogenhoe league debut due to Joe`s preference for the more sedate and social aspects that friendly village cricket could provide but when he did bowl a ball in anger so to speak what a debut it was. Saturday July 12 th at the Playing Fields with East Park providing the opposition. Batting first the eventual Town League Division 2 runners up were cruising at 81-1, but Joe then sent down 13.4 overs taking 5-49 and with Bob taking 3-14 they dismissed East Park for 159. Unfortunately the Cogenhoe batters could not match the bowlers with Joe the last man out for 15 as the Cooks came up 62 runs short. August 10 th saw Joe get his best ever Cogenhoe figures with a sensational 7-42 in a friendly away at Harpole.
In league terms 1970 was a quite something for Joe and even more amazing when you see the impact he made despite only playing 6 league games. It began on May 30 th when Joe took 5-48 to help dismiss United Social II`s for 123. But at 89-9 Cogenhoe were staring down the barrel, but Joe with 12 not out and Tim Street with 83 not out edged Cogenhoe to victory by 1 wicket. Later on in that season Joe tormented St Michaels 5-17, Technical 4-36 and Spencer 6-29 to end the season as Cogenhoe leading wicket taker with a seasons analysis of 58.5-5-257-27 at an average of 9.5.
Every good spinner needs a good gloveman. Joe padded up and ready to bat outside the old pavilion at Cogenhoe Playing Fields with wicket keeper and good friend Pat Whiteman
The following season another league 6 wicket haul against 20 th Century as Joe took another 13 wickets in just 6 appearances and similarly in 1972 where Joe took 16 wickets in half a dozen matches. Joe made his final league appearance for Cogenhoe on July 17 th 1976 at the Racecourse against Express Lifts. The hosts were 50-1 when Joe 4-37 and Les 5-21 came on to bowl and skittle them out for just 110 with Cogenhoe going on to win the game and gain promotion that year to section one of the Town League. In all Joe played just 31 league games for Cogenhoe taking a very impressive 77 wickets. In todays game Joe`s guile and craft would have seen him take loads of wickets and I would not mind a pound for every time I have heard Tarps say we could do with a decent spinner in our team like Joe Deer.
Not playing the game did not however stop Joe from still actively supporting our club and taking a keen interest in our progress. Joe and wife Janet have been very loyal and generous Vice Presidents of our club along with their son Gary who is also one of our clubs most generous benefactors. Indeed the families association with our club goes even further as Janet was one of our famous tea ladies , son in law Bob I have already mentioned and indeed Gary has played with somewhat less distinction than Joe ( apologies Gary) for Cogenhoe and to complete the family connection grandson Jamie has played many many times for Cogenhoe and certainly knows how to hold a bat.
On behalf of Cogenhoe Cricket Club I would like to pass on our sincerest sympathies to Janet, Gary , Josephine and all of the family. Joe was once of the nicest men I have ever met, a true gentleman. Whenever I bumped into Joe down the Oak on a Sunday lunchtime he would always ask how the teams had got on the previous day. Indeed whenever we corresponded he would always drop a note to me at the beginning of the season wishing the club well.The world is poorer place without Joe Deer
Cogenhoe CC 2001 reunion
right to left Brian Foley, Tim Street, Joe , Pat McLaughlin, Les Robjohns,
Bob Sketchley and Geoff Waldron
Many a wicket, laugh and a pint shared joe, farewell old friend, it was always a privilege to be in your company. Rip joe, one of a kind.
Thanks Pat for your kind message. Jo
I just wanted to say thank you Roy for such a lovely piece about Dad. He is going to be greatly missed not only by his family but also many friends