Sadly, our club president Rob Fagan lost his battle with cancer last weekend and passed away peacefully in Bournemouth Hospital. Rob and his wife Sandy, who pre deceased him, were great supporters of the club. Rob played for the club in his younger days and succeeded his father Reg as president in 1989.

Rob and Sandy ran the men’s outfitters in New Milton, until their retirement in 2011, and they were both keen table tennis players at the New Milton club where Rob served as chairman and latterly president.

During the winters he was an avid “Cherries” supporter and season ticket holder and, during the summer, he loved spending time watching cricket at the Ageas Bowl and the BCG.

Rydal CC became Bashley (Rydal) CC in 1979 when Reg allowed the club to take a lease on his land in Bashley and turn it into a cricket ground. Since then the club has expanded and transformed the BCG into one of the top grounds in the county.

There is no doubt that the club would not be where it is today without the benevolence of the Fagan family and Rob’s quiet, and unobtrusive support, will be much missed at the BCG.

Our thoughts go out to his children, Michael and Jackie, at this sad time.