A premier tribute to Sheriff Hutton Bridge stalwart Fisher (From York Press)

A premier tribute to Sheriff Hutton Bridge stalwart Phil Fisher

10:19am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Sport

THE life of club stalwart Phil Fisher will be celebrated at Sheriff Hutton Bridge when the York & District Senior League XI take on Yorkshire Academy.

The League XI will include Phil’s three sons, Adam, Matthew and Mark, who all play for Sheriff Hutton Bridge in the premier division.

Phil Fisher, who passed away in July after a long and courageous battle against cancer, first became involved with Sheriff Hutton Bridge 12 years ago when eldest son Adam joined as a junior player.

He was followed by Mark and then by Matthew, and all three have played in the top flight this season.

Albert Pattison, league secretary, said: “It wasn’t long before he found himself involved with coaching, training, and, over the years, managing many different age groups as well as being involved behind the scenes.

“He was always seen to be supporting and encouraging the youngsters and in return he gained so much pleasure from seeing them achieve their goals.”

The Bridge side be captained by the younger of the three Fisher brothers, Matthew, who has also had a successful season with Yorkshire Academy and recently filled the 12th man role for the Tykes’ second XI.

The Academy side will be led by Heworth -based batsman Jack Leaning, who has hit three half-centuries for the Yorkshire seconds and made his first-team debut in a CB40 clash with Warwickshire at Scarborough last month.

Other players in the side with Senior League links are Will Rhodes, from Stamford Bridge, Ben Coad, of Studley Royal, Harrogate’s Sam Davies and Karl Carver, of Thirsk.

The 40-over match starts at noon.

There will be a barbecue, bar and refreshments. Proceeds from programme sales will be donated to York Against Cancer.

York & District Senior League XI: Matthew Fisher (captain), Paul Oldfield, Mark Fisher, Rob Pinder, Adam Fisher (wicketkeeper), Paul Scaling, Matty Dale, David Speake, Joe Dale, David Phillips, Jordan Grose, Jamie Hopper.

Yorkshire Academy: Jonathan Tattersall, William Rhodes, Jack Leaning (captain), George Ross, Edward Wilson (wicketkeeper), Mosun Hussain, Ryan Gibson, Ben Coad, Sam Davies, Karl Carver, Alex Leyson.