Sadly, we have a double dose of bad news to pass on.
The news of Sean Horan‘s passing is a terrible shock. Sean was the standing Essex U1450 County Captain and in his first season had taken his team into the ECF stages. Funeral details to follow.
Mark Murrell will step in to make sure that the ECF QF fixture in Syston on 12 May, against Greater Manchester, is honoured in the best possible way and endeavour to take the team as far as possible. Would those players who are expecting to play at Syston on 12 May 2024, or are reserves, please contact Mark Murrell on u1450@essexchess.org.uk as soon as possible.
From Malcolm Crane we hear the sad news that Les Groombridge lost his long battle against serious illness yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 1 May). His wife, Claire, was with him and the end was peaceful and pain free. Funeral arrangements to follow.
Les was ECA Treasurer for an all-too-short time and was proving to be an excellent find until he had to step down with the onset of his illness.