It is with great sadness that we share the news of Keith Pearson’s passing. 

Keith was a much-loved and highly valued member of Northwood Town in the 1990s and 2000s, kindly and selflessly helping the club through his voluntary role as 2s umpire for several seasons as well as striving to improve the club via his off the pitch work on multiple committees. He was honoured for his efforts by becoming a Vice President of the club. 

On very rare occasions he came out of playing retirement to don the whites too - showing he was still a class act behind the stumps when bad availability (hello Euro 96!) meant a player shortage crisis. By all accounts, Keith excelled as a player at his previous club Welldon CC - where he became good friends with NTCC stalwart Pervez Irani.

Always full of good humour and warmth, Keith would be a supportive and reliable father figure to those colts playing in the side with his dear son Kingsley as he progressed through the ranks. 

He was also THE person to be on the same team with at the regular NTCC Quiz Nights - his vast knowledge was simply stunning.

Northwood Town’s President Mike Fidler expressed his sadness at the news, stating that “Keith was a good man - I really liked him.” Former Chairman Dave Harding said: “I got on so well with him when I captained the 2’s and he used to umpire - which he was very good at. We used to have some great laughs.”

Vice President Gerry Pimm kindly shared his recollections of Keith, providing great insight into the type of character he was and what he meant to others:

“I first met Keith when I was coaching Kingsley as a young cricketer.  It was clear from the start he was an erudite man of great knowledge and cricket knowhow and also an extremely affable gentleman. 

And gentleman is the right word as he was certainly one of the old school folk with high standards and principles. Just what I needed and he joined our colts committee swiftly helping us immensely (later joining the main committee which he probably enjoyed less!)

I was told by Pervez he used to be a top standard wicket keeper and indeed he often looked at our keepers remarking how his generation used to be a lot braver!

As Twos captain I asked him to come and umpire for us which he did for a few years - all captains know how valuable and handy a regular umpire is and Keith was the fairest of them all, knowing the laws inside out.

A really nice guy, who was a credit to the cricket club and deservedly became a Vice President.

My thoughts are with Kingsley and family. May he rest in peace.”

It feels fitting for the final words to be those of Kingsley, who wrote a lovely tribute to his father that encapsulated who Keith Pearson was:

“A truly wonderful man who would do anything for his family. A man of intellect, compassion, integrity and great humour. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Life was tough for him these last few years, but he always battled through, even in some very dark times. Reunited and at peace with my dear mum, and sister Keely. I hope he knew just how valued and loved he was.”

Northwood Town Cricket Club has huge gratitude to Keith for all he did for us. Never taking a penny for his services. Always giving his absolute best. Thank you for everything, Keith. Rest in peace.

Our heartfelt condolences go to the Pearson family. 

Keith Pearson: 05/04/1940 - 07/03/2026
Ben Rawson-Jones

Club Historian