Colin James Irwin (1952-2026)

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As a croquet player and a member of the croquet "family", Colin's achievements were immense. Although Colin and Chris only joined the Bowdon Croquet Club in 1980, within 5 years Colin had quickly established himself as a fast improver which culminated in him winning the Bowdon Croquet Club's Fotiadi Novices' trophy that year and more sensationally ending that first season on a handicap of 4.

His improvement continued into a 1982 Club A Class win, a competition he would win on 12 occasions, and a 1983 win at the Spencer Ell competition. But he did not stop there as he won the Cheltenham Coles' Championship in 1985 and, 4 years later in 1989, he had become a losing semi-finalist in the very first World Championship. These achievements cannot be underestimated, so here's a list of all his remarkable croquet "career":

Individually:

Cheltenham Coles Championship in 1985

Semi-finalist in the first World Championship 1989

Men's Championship in 1992

North of England Championship 4 times (1986, 1987, 1997 and 2000)

He played in the President's Cup 12 times between 1985 and 2003 with a best place of second in 2003

He played in 9 World Championships between 1989 and 2013

Colin was also a Championship referee.

Team:

Mary Rose with Bowdon in 1983 - 3 years after starting to play croquet

Represented Great Britain in the MacRobertson Shield "test series" 4 times between 1986 and 2000 and part of the winning team three times.

Represented Ireland and England in the Home Internationals between 1986 and 2003.

Inter Club with Bowdon 4 times (1987, 1994, 1997, 1998).

In the Inter Counties team with Cheshire in 1994, 1995 and 2004.

Other Achievements:

Croquet England (formerly the Croquet Association)

Council member from 1987 to 2002

Chairman 1992 to 1994

Vice President from 2007

World Croquet Federation

Colin was on the Management Committee until 2004.

In summary, Colin played 1,934 ranking games with a 65% success rate. To those who understand croquet Colin completed 371 TP's and TPO's. His highest world ranking was 4th in 1993. At his height of playing prowess Colin was an indefatigable opponent, a person who was likely to offer advice to players, particularly beginners he'd just played.

One of his proudest moments was to become the holder of the Number 1 Membership card of the founding of the All-Ireland Croquet Association.

Colin departs us as a very great friend of the Bowdon Croquet Club and Dunham Golf Club and its members and the wider croquet "family".

Finally, I would like to emphasise that although they didn't live near to each other, Helen and her entire family (and Chris's siblings and family) will miss Colin more than they can say.

May Colin "Rest in Peace" with his beloved wife Chris.

By Michael Sandler

Colin's full obituary will be published in the June Croquet Gazette.

Streaming details for the service of Colin James Irwin at 11:00 (BST) on Thursday 4th June, at Altrincham - Chapel, run by Kenneth Dewey & Sons - Hale are as below.

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