Former Linnets goalkeeper and North Runcton cricket stalwart passes away

Former King’s Lynn and Wisbech goalkeeper and North Runcton cricket stalwart Phil Ringwood has passed away, aged 71.Philip John Ringwood, aptly known as Ringers, enjoyed two spells with the Linnets and one with the Fenmen.He grew up in a village community where everyone knew everyone. He played football and cricket in the street and on the playing field with anyone around at the time.His father, Henry, played cricket for Narborough, so Phil would be there watching, scoring, or helping out by fielding if the team was short.Eventually, he joined the team full-time and played regularly at weekends and in midweek cups.Phil joined North Runcton in the early 70s as his desire to play at a more challenging level held sway.Through North Runcton cricket Phil met Keith Rudd and Clive Adams who played football for King’s Lynn and Phil was invited to play there. He enjoyed two spells as goalkeeper for King’s Lynn with a four-year gap when he played for Wisbech. Phil was very agile and flexible and was a great shotstopper. He finally finished his football career with Ely City at the age of 31.Phil managed to juggle his two sporting careers and when football finished he continued to enhance his cricketing reputation with innings of great skill and power for many more years.He was an integral member of North Runcton’s side of the 1980s and 1990s, helping the club to several league titles in both the Norfolk Alliance Premier and the South Lincs and Border Premier. His was one of the prized wickets for opposition bowlers, but regularly they were to be disappointed as Phil dispatched them to all parts of the ground, dealing primarily in boundaries.In his first football free season, Phil batted 37 times, scoring 1155 with a top score of 123 not out. He followed this with 997 the next season and 1472 the next, with a top score of 166 not out.Although primarily an opening batsman, Phil showed his versatility and selflessness by dropping down the order later in his career where he did an equal amount of damage at the end of an innings as he used to at the start. Phil played many times for Norfolk and loved meeting new people and challenging himself at a higher level.He kept in touch with many of those he played against and was equally respected by opposition players as he was by teammates.Phil helped with running junior sides as his sons, Carl and Marcus entered the fray.One of his most cherished achievements was captaining a young side to the Mid-Norfolk League title. As cricket came to a close for Phil, he liked to play golf and was full of fun and coaching advice on the course, enjoying the sport and the camaraderie.He was a member at King’s Lynn Golf Club and Hunstanton Golf Club.Phil was a big man with a friendly and welcoming manner. He was always positive and slow to anger, a true gentle giant. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.Funeral to be held at Narborough Church on Tuesday, November 12, at 11am with the wake at King’s Lynn Golf Club.