APPLETON Cricket Club today issued a statement following the tragic death of their talented young player John Nesbitt at the age of just 18.
The youngster’s death last Wednesday night – reported by Warrington-Worldwide yesterday – has left family and friends and the whole cricketing community in Warrington devastated.
In their statement, the Lyons Lane club said: “John first joined the club as a junior and it was soon clear that he was not only a talented batsman but that he was also a tough cookie too. He played for the Under 15s when he was just 13 and for the Under 18s when he was just 15. Each time he had to step up, he did.
“More recently, John had just secured outstanding grades in his A levels and was looking forward to going to the University of Birmingham to study Engineering later this month.
“The number of tributes we’ve had, from so many people, shows how well-liked John was by all those who had the privilege of playing alongside him.
“John was funny, thoughtful and caring. He had goals in life and he worked and studied hard to achieve them. He was a popular member of our club and we are all going to miss him terribly.”
The cause of John’s death is, as yet, unknown.
He had been due to play for Appleton 2nd XI on Saturday and in an emotionally charged atmosphere the match went ahead with the Appleton side playing with 10 men.
As a gesture, their opponents, Barnton, also played with 10 men and the game ended in victory for Appleton.
Earlier, team mates, friends and members of other cricket clubs in the Warrington area had gathered at Lyons Lane to leave tributes to the talented youngster.
