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Farewell to a Valley original

by Peter Gardiner

One of Moonee Valley Cricket Club's foundation players, Ken McLeod, has died in hospital after an accident.

Ken passed away at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Sunday June 2, after a quad bike accident on a farming property at Cohuna.

Ken McLeod played in our Club's first-ever match back in 1971. In our foundation year we had a single team playing under the name of Moonee Ponds, and from these beginnings came the club that would grow into the Moonee Valley Cricket Club.

Ken's father Alex was our first President, his brother Rod our first Secretary and his mate Ray Storey our first Captain. Our club was formed by Ray Storey and Rod McLeod.

Moonee Valley life member Peter Gardiner advises that Ken played in our first two premierships. He was a member in the first season 1971-72, and made a valued contribution of 2 for 11 during the 1974-75 victory in a heated confrontation against Oak Park. Peter recalls Ken as a skilled all-rounder, good fieldsman and cunning competitor. His spirit, attitude and humour were an integral part of those early days.

Ken played 70 matches for the Valley before work commitments and a young family left less time for cricket.

Overall he scored over a thousand runs at an average of 14.4 and captured 92 wickets at an average of 17.5. He was the X factor of the early Valley days.

Peter advises that Ken is the first player from our inaugural 11 to pass away, and with his history with our club will be sadly missed.

Following Ken's wishes there will be a private funeral, but a wake to celebrate his life and times will be held at the Moonee Valley Bowls Club at 2pm on Friday 14 June. All Moonee Valley cricketers past and present are invited to attend.

June 3, 2013

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