ACC ARCHIVED NEWS - 2026

It is with great sadness that I am letting members know on behalf of the family, of the passing of Alan on Sunday last.

Alan – a well known and very much loved legend throughout the Club. Since his early days at the Club, Alan, with his wife Barbara by his side, put his heart and soul into the Club in so many ways:-

• A good player for many years and the Captain of many teams in his cricketing career
• The instigator of junior cricket at the Club and involvement in junior leagues• heavily involved in introducing women's cricket at the club
• The first Child Welfare/Safeguarding Officer and one of the key driving forces of our accreditation with ECB Clubmark
• The instigator of the 1st Yorkshire Over 50's XI
• An excellent groundsman for the Club for very many years• an instigator in achieving the first Outdoor Practice Nets
• Involved in the organisation of a number of Anston touring XI's over a number of years particularly to Norfolk and Suffolk
• Helped to raise money for, and helped to build the first clubhouse
• A respected umpire throughout the Bassetlaw & District Cricket League
• An excellent coach
• A key fundraiser for the Club and with his wife Barbara raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research, The British Heart Foundation and other charities
• The instigator of the original 4th XI playing in the Doncaster Cricket League, to enable junior cricketers to be brought on in hardball cricket, and to enable women to play hardball cricket
• A long serving member of the Club's Management Committee, holding the post of Chairman for many years, and President of the Club from 2015 to 2020.
• A Past President of the Bassetlaw & District Cricket League and served on the League Management Committee for many years
• An ECB National Lifetime Achiever Award Winner – presented at Lord's Cricket Ground for services to cricket
• Awarded the British Empire Medal winner for community service and in particular to cricket 

Alan was a much loved and valued friend to many, and he will be greatly missed. 

As can be seen above, he gave 100% to cricket. He was a great raconteur especially stories about past exploits in cricket, but essentially Alan was a man who not only had the ideas, but he delivered them. He was a down to earth wonderful family man, with a loving and supportive family. Our thoughts are with them at this very sad time.  Please remember them and in particular Cheryl and Kevin and their families in the coming days and weeks.

Please pass the information regarding Alan's passing to those friends who may not see this notice.

Once the funeral arrangements are finalised they will be notified on the website and Facebook page.

Janet King

We would like to let everyone know that the funeral of Alan Niel Vollans, will be held on Friday 6th March 2026 at 12pm at South Anston Methodist Church, Sheffield Road, South Anston, Sheffield S25 5DT.
 

This will be followed by a graveside service at South Anston Cemetery, Sheffield Road S25 5ET. 
 

There will be a celebration of Alan’s life at Anston Cricket Club, Ryton Road, North Anston, Sheffield S25 4DL. We anticipate the club being open from around 12.45pm.
 

We would like to extend invitations to everyone to attend the church service, the graveside service and the celebration of Alan’s life at the cricket club.  Flowers would be most welcome and these can be brought to the church. If you would prefer, and would like to make a donation in Alan’s memory, the family’s chosen charity is the British Heart Foundation.
 

Many thanks, Kevin, Cheryl and family x

The funeral will be held on Friday 1st May 2026 at 11.30 am at Babworth Crematorium, Retford and afterwards at Anston Cricket Club.
 

Family flowers only please but if anyone wishes to make a donation in lieu of flowers, and in memory of Frank please do so to Parkinson’s UK - https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate

I’m very sorry to notify members and friends of the end of the innings this week for Frank Houlding. Frank died this week in Rotherham Hospital after a short illness.
 

Frank joined Anston in the nineteen eighties from Hollinsend Cricket Club. He was a slow bowler and initially played Sunday cricket as the Club rule at that time wouldn’t allow players who lived outside Anston or were not born in Anston to play league matches. When the rule was relaxed, Frank played in the midweek XI and the 3rd XI.
 

For many years he was Sunday Secretary organising Sunday matches, he managed one of the junior sides, and helped with coaching of the original Women’s team.
 

Frank with his wife Carole were excellent fundraisers and volunteers at the club for many years.
 

Once funeral arrangements are known, I will post the details.
 

Janet King

We are sorry to notify members that Steph Barley has passed away. Steph has been associated with the Club for many years, her two sons Ian and Andrew played from junior level and her grandsons also played.
 

Over the years Steph has helped with match teas and fundraiser events.
 

The funeral will be held on Thursday 2nd July 1.15pm at Rotherham crematorium, followed by drinks at the Cricket Club.