ACCRINGTON’S record-breaking wicketkeeper, Jack Collier, has died aged 82.

Mr Collier, from the Springhill area, holds the record for most career victims by an Accrington wicketkeeper with 309 catches and 90 stumpings in a senior career that began in 1949.

In 1960 he set a club record for most victims in a season, claiming 40 in legendary West Indian quick bowler Wes Hall’s first season as professional.

In 1961, he was a member of the championship winning side under Lindon Dewhurst and in 1964 he took over as first team captain when Eddie Barlow was professional.

In 1969, he moved into the Ribblesdale League to play for Whalley.

Last year, his grandson Sam Tucker, broke the wicketkeeping record for Church Cricket Club with 320 victims.

Sam, 26, who works for a design agency in Manchester, said: “There are obvious comparisons because I am a wicketkeeper too, but I have had a massive head start.

“I started playing at 13 in 1998, and regularly from the age of 14, but that was very unusual when he began.

“My grandfather was the reason I started playing early.

“He has always been a great influence on my life and an inspirational figure who I have always looked up to, greatly admired and had a great deal of respect and admiration for.

“He was an honest, humble man who lived his life with a great deal of integrity and was unilaterelly respected and held in the highest regard by his family, friends and peers.”

Peter Barratt, president of Accrington Cricket Club, said: “Jack played for the club for a long time and was a fantastic wicketkeeper. It is very sad news to hear of his death.”

Mr Collier, who worked at the Royal Ordinance Factory in Blackburn, leaves wife Brenda, daughter Janet, grandson Sam and 15-year-old great-grandaughter Ebony Johnson. Grandaughter Rachel died 18 months ago aged 34.

His funeral takes place today at 12noon at West End Methodist Church, Oswaldtwistle.