Dickie Bird dies: Tributes to Yorkshire cricket umpire

'The day Dickie helped my mum get home'

Broadcaster and former Number 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell said he was "really sad to hear of Dickie Bird’s passing".

Campbell, who was also born in Yorkshire, said: "He was best known as a great cricket umpire and a big character in the game."

Posting on social media platform X, he wrote: "About 20 years ago I invited him to London for a fundraising event I was hosting. My mum, then in her 80s, was also there.

"Dickie worked out her train journey home would stop on the London-Leeds line at Retford.

"He not only took her to KX, but got off the train at Retford to make sure she was met and taken home, thereby having to wait for the next train to Leeds. RIP."

Media gather in home town

Tom Ingall

BBC News in Barnsley

In Barnsley, myself and other media are assembled at the statue of Dickie Bird in the town centre.

I spoke to the statue's creator, sculptor Graham Ibbeson, earlier and he told me that Dickie was "Barnsley through and through".

"He seemed like a really gentle soul, a kind of daft uncle, dare I say it.

"It was like a punch in the stomach this morning, it's like losing a close friend."

'Very sad to hear the news about my friend'

Former England captain Sir Geoffrey Boycott paid tribute to a friend he had known for more than half a century.

Writing on X the fellow Yorkshireman said: "I have known Dickie nearly 70 years as a friend.

"When I was 15 I was taken to Barnsley Cricket Club by my Uncle Algy.

"I was in awe of him because every week Dickie was the star batsman and he made a half century to get a collection.

"He was a very good technical batsman but nerves got the better of him when he stepped up to play for YCCC and he could never quite hold down a place in the first team."

He added: "Surprising to those that knew him well, when he became a first class umpire he was absolutely brilliant.

"He made light of his nerves, even channelled them into making a success of umpiring.

"Players all over the world respected and admired him for his firmness, fairness and he did it with a sense of humour.

"He was loved by so many and became a legend.

"RIP Dickie".

Stars from across globe pay tribute to 'legend'

Cricket legends from India, Australia and England have paid tribute to Dickie, describing him as a legend of the sport.

Former India spin-bowler Anil Kumble said: "Cricket lost one of its brightest souls. Dickie Bird didn’t just umpire the game - he owned it with heart, wit and class. Rest in peace, legend."

Another ex-Indian national team cricketer Dinesh Karthik said Dickie would be "remembered for your fairness, integrity, humour, and true Yorkshire spirit".

Merv Hughes, the former Australian cricketer pictured below, said Dickie was "one of the best" umpires "and a great bloke as well".

Former England international Kevin Pietersen said: "Dickie Bird, you absolute legend of English cricket. May you rest in peace knowing that you were loved by all.

"I had so many amazing moments with Dickie. A remarkable character that will be missed dearly."

'A close friend to most of Barnsley'

Sculptor Graham Ibbeson cast a sculpture of Dickie - which stands in his home town of Barnsley - more than a decade ago.

He said a friend had called him to tell him the news earlier, adding: "He was a close friend of most of the population of Barnsley so word got around pretty quickly.

"When I cast the sculpture 14 years ago, I said 'your hand should be straight' - he said, 'no, I want it bent with the finger up!'.

"Even King Charles, when he came to see the sculpture, he said, 'is the finger the right way?' And I said, 'oh yes, that's what he used to do!'."

'All the players loved him - cricket was his life'

Jonathan Agnew, BBC chief cricket commentator

"He was one of those umpires to whom mishaps would occur. Bad light would always seem to come when Dickie was umpiring.

"At Headingley, the whole ground flooded one time because of a problem with the drainage system. Dickie Bird was umpiring.

"He didn't give a lot out, especially LBWs. He was always quite safe and secure.

"All the players loved him. He was brilliant at defusing situations on the field.

"Fast bowlers like Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson - these big, aggressive characters - there could be some argy bargy on the field at times and yet they completely respected Dickie Bird.

"If he stepped in and said, 'c'mon lads, let's get on with the game', they stopped and got on with the game. He was massively respected. He was loved.

"He never married. Cricket was his life - his whole life. He just loved cricket.

"He was eccentric. If you are so devoted to anything there is probably some element of eccentricity about you and, in Dickie's case, it was cricket.

"He was a good player. He was always very nervous as a player - he'd be shaking, trembling and terribly anxious.

"He didn't have many shots as a batsman and got moved on from Yorkshire and came to Leicestershire.

"He just belonged out there with his white coat and white cap."

'A legend of the sporting world'

Dickie Bird was not only dedicated to cricket - he was also a passionate supporter of Barnsley Football Club.

He was supporting his team just 10 days before his death at their 3-2 victory against Reading.

Jon Flatman, Barnsley FC chief executive officer, said: "Barnsley has today lost a legend of the sporting world.

"Dickie had an incredible life, and Barnsley, as a town and football club, meant a lot to him.

“He was defiantly passionate about his roots here in Barnsley and his journey, which led him to become one of the most famous cricket umpires in the world.

"All of our thoughts at the club go to Dickie’s family and those closest to him at this difficult time."

When Harold became Dickie

Although known to the world as Dickie, Bird's first name was actually Harold.

He got the moniker when a pupil at school.

He was at Barnsley's Raley Secondary Modern, after failing his 11 Plus exam, and a fellow pupil gave him the name - which stuck for the rest of his life.

And for those who don't know, a dickie bird is Cockney rhyming slang for "word" - as in, "I haven't heard a dickie bird". It can also be a child's name for a small bird.

'One of the greatest characters in Yorkshire's history'

The cricket club added Dickie - appointed an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 2012 - left behind a legacy of "sportsmanship, humility, and joy - and a legion of admirers across generations"

"The thoughts of everyone at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club are with Dickie’s family and friends during this time," it added.

Officials said he would be "truly missed" having spent "an incredible amount of time in support of everyone here and will be remembered as one the greatest characters in Yorkshire’s history".

Further details regarding memorial arrangements would be released in "due course", they added, saying the club would "honour him in a variety of ways in the coming weeks".

'A first-class cricketer and national treasure'

Now more from Yorkshire County Cricket Club's tribute to Dickie, who was born on 19 April 1933 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

The club said he was a "first-class cricketer for Yorkshire and Leicestershire, until his career was cut short by injury and he forged his role as an umpire.

"Over a distinguished career, he officiated in 66 Test matches and 69 One Day Internationals, including three World Cup finals — earning the admiration of players and fans alike for his integrity, humour, and unmistakable style."

"Dickie Bird became a national treasure, known not only for his umpiring excellence but also for his eccentricities and warmth."

'A wonderful ambassador for Barnsley'

Dickie Bird was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Barnsley in 2000, where he was honoured with a six-foot statue in the centre of town.

It was created by Barnsley’s own famous sculptor and friend of Dickie, Graham Ibbeson.

Mayor of Barnsley Dave Leech said: "Dickie was a global sporting icon, a wonderful ambassador for Barnsley, and a friend to anyone he met.

“He was rightly awarded Freedom of the Borough of Barnsley which is a role I know he cherished.

"He would always attend civic events whenever he could, including Remembrance Sunday and commemorations of historical events and battles, military parades, the annual Proud of Barnsley Awards, and any event where he could enjoy the company of Barnsley people."

He added: "My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends."

Bird was 'synonymous with Yorkshire cricket'

Let's get more from the official statement from Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The club said: "It is with profound sadness that The Yorkshire County Cricket Club announces the passing of Harold Dennis “Dickie” Bird MBE OBE, one of cricket’s most beloved figures, who died peacefully at home at the age of 92.

"Dickie Bird enjoyed an illustrious career as an international umpire, writing his name into history as the most famous and popular official in the game’s history."

The club added Dickie was "synonymous with Yorkshire Cricket, where he has been one of the most loyal supporters".

'An immense character often without meaning to be'

Speaking on Radio 5Live, BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew described Bird as an “immense character, often without meaning to be”.

“He was one of those umpires to whom mishaps would occur – bad light would always seem to come when Dickie Bird was umpiring," he said.

“The whole pitch at Headingley flooded one time because there was a problem with the drainage system and Dickie Bird was umpiring.

“He took the players off once because it was too light at a test match at Old Trafford because the sunlight was shining off the glass roof.

"All of these things fell to Dickie and yet he was a terrific umpire. He was brilliant, all the players loved him.”

Click here to read article