A CRICKETING stalwart who was hit by a car in the United States earlier this month, has died.

Lancashire League umpire Terence Doherty, 76, was hit by an SUV crossing a road in Key Largo, near Miami.

It is believed that the former Haslingden Cricket Club member was left fighting for his life for three weeks but died yesterday morning.

Mike Bibby, the Lancashire League chairman, who also stands as an umpire, said he was ‘in shock’ to hear of the incident.

He said: “Terry was a true gentleman. It is very sad to hear about his death.

“He was a good umpire and always had a smile on his face. I only knew him for six or seven years but I know that people thought a lot of him.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this tragic time.”

Haslingden opening batsman and former first team captain Graham Knowles, who had known Mr Doherty since he was a youngster, said: “Terry was my first senior captain when I was just 11 or 12. 

“I knew him for 30 years and he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him both at Haslingden and around the league.

“I will always remember they way he used to catch the ball, he was a true player and a professional man with a lovely manner and was a true cricketing legend.”

According to reports from the FL Keys News, Mr Doherty was hit on the US 1 as he was crossing from the bay side to the ocean side of the highway at mile marker 101 around 8.40pm on Thursday, November 10.

The publication also reported that Mr Doherty walked from the central reservation into the northbound travel lane into the path of a 2005 Dodge Durango, and that witnesses said that that particular area of the highway is not lit and Mr Doherty was wearing dark-coloured trousers.


It is understood he was on holiday in the area with his wife and two daughters.

Peter Hargreaves, the secretary of Lancashire League Umpire’s Association, said that he was shocked to hear about his death.

He said: “I am shocked and saddened to hear about Terry.
“He was well-known and this is just unbelievable.

“He was a grand bloke and I enjoyed working with him.
“I am, as well as everybody else I presume, am very sad and upset that he is no longer with us.”

The Lancashire League’s record wicket-taker Keith Roscoe, who knew Mr Doherty well both from his time on the field and also as a near neighbour, also paid tribute.

“Terry lived on Hargreaves Drive quite close to me and I used to see him quite a lot.

“He was a lovely man off the field and a good umpire who called it as he saw it on the field.

“It’s really sad news and my thoughts go out to his family.”