John Derrick, Former Glamorgan Coach, Dies At 54
Mar 22, 2017 at 5:55 PM
John Derrick, former Glamorgan coach, has died at the age of 54 after battling with brain tumor.
The former seamer was diagnosed in August 2016 and underwent a brain surgery and chemotherapy.
“JD [John Derrick] embodied all that is good about cricket at both professional and club level,” Glamorgan’s stated in its tribute.
In 2010, Derrick was appointed as Wales’ National Performance Director for cricket and helped youngsters during his time there.
After making his debut at the age of 20, Derrick played as a lower-order batsman and a seam bowler and featured in 201 matches.
“Glamorgan CCC, and Welsh cricket as a whole, has lost a great and loyal servant, and the game will be very much the poorer for his passing, it added.
After being relinquished as the coach in 2006, Derrick tried his hands as a BBC’s Wales commentator. He also nursed the Wales age-group cricketers.
However, after being replaced as a coach, Derrick went on to play for his club Aberdare.
After his appointment as the Glamorgan coach, the sun shone on the county side as they won the title in 2002 and 2004.
Under the mentorship of Derrick, Glamorgan also reached Twenty20 finals before being promoted to the first division of the Championship.
“When I finished playing, I wanted to help Glamorgan in any way the county needed me. I’ve never had a problem working where the county wants me,” Derrick said at the time when he became the coach on PERMANENT basis as per quoted by BBC.
Derrick, who earned his County cap in 1988, scored 1995 runs, with a highest score of 78.