Northwood Town Cricket Club lost a wonderful servant on 4th February 2026 when Vice President Alan Piper sadly passed away at the age of 85. The club extends its sincere condolences to the Piper family - a mainstay at Northwood Town for so many years. 

Alan was a true gentleman and hard worker for the club - always amiable, conscientious and kind-hearted. He was very supportive of the junior players coming through the ranks into senior cricket and a joy to play alongside. Any opening bowler that overpitched in his zone would be greeted with a mighty biff straight back past him. 

Joining the club as a player in 1976, he took part in 12 games in his debut season across all three sides before becoming a 2s regular the following year - a year in which he took on his first role behind the scenes by joining the Colts Committee.

In 1978, he registered his first century for the club - smashing an unbeaten 108 against Southall CC for the 2nd XI.

It wasn’t unknown to have four Pipers playing for the same side in the mid 1980s - with Alan’s sons Nick, Tim and Robin all donning their whites. It would have been a hugely proud family moment in 1986 when he put on a fifth wicket stand of 74 with his son Tim for the 2nd XI against Kings Langley.

Another unbeaten ton came in 1990 - 105 for the 2s vs Broxbourne - at a time when Alan was taking on a more regular role behind the stumps. A particular highlight came in 1997 when he took six stumpings for the 2s in just 11 matches that season. According to club records, he took his first and possibly only wicket for the club in 1985.

Alan hung up his boots for a well deserved retirement in 1999, and signed off by smashing one of the greatest knocks I’ve ever personally witnessed for the Town - dismantling a very rapid Wheathampstead attack for a magnificent 70 in a Sunday 1st XI match. 

Alongside his playing efforts over more than two decades, Alan helped the club out in other areas - becoming a member of the General Committee and Bar Committee before taking on roles such as Press Secretary in the late 80s, Social Secretary in the early 90s and Club Secretary in the mid 90s. 

As he stepped back from active involvement at the club, he became a regular member of the roof terrace spectator crew at NTCC for many years and also took part in the club’s golf days. 

NTCC’s President Michael Fidler sent the following touching tribute:

“I first met Alan when I joined NTCC around 40 years ago. Alan was one of the best. I really enjoyed playing cricket and socialising with him over many years. Other than being a great batsman, he was a very good wicket keeper who stood up to some quite fast bowling. 

He was also a family man and took a great deal of pleasure from his children and grandchildren. God bless him - may he rest in peace 🙏”

Northwood Town’s Vice President Gerry Pimm kindly shared his recollections of Alan:

“I knew Alan from the beginning of my NTCC days.  At 14 I replaced him as press secretary, a job in those days that was a bit more taxing as you had to get copy into the (very) popular local papers and compete for space with other local clubs.  Alan gave me two huge folders full of photocopies of all our reports he had compiled, as meticulous as ever.  He was also social secretary at the time, a critical role as the likes of race nights literally helped keep the club alive.  On Monday nights we used to travel to sports clubs around Hertfordshire where he captained our sports quiz second team.

Alan took on many committee roles including secretary where he got nicknamed ‘Inspector Piper’ by our ever-vivacious club captain of the time.  A back handed compliment because of his expectations of high standards throughout the club.  He did chuckle at the moniker.  But of course, Alan was also a very useful cricketer, mainly a stalwart in the twos.  He kept wicket and opened the batting well into late in his career and you always got consistent performances from him.

It would be remiss not to mention his football passion.  A big QPR fan but I think he more enjoyed the fact that Watford and Fulham lost so he could laugh at Carts and myself!  He was popular in Northwood Football Club where we sometimes travelled many miles – once to Durham! – to support them.

I will remember Alan as a dominant presence with a hearty laugh and a principled approach. He will be missed.”

Rest in peace dear Alan. On behalf of everyone at the club, we owe you huge gratitude for everything you did for us on and off the pitch. 

Alan Edward Henry Piper: 30.12.40 - 04.02.26.

Ben Rawson-Jones

Club Historian