THE untimely death of Ed Price at just 62 deprives Herefordshire cricket of perhaps its leading player of the late 20th century.

And maybe even more significantly, with an eye on the future, takes away a man who was playing a significant role in the next generation of the county’s players.

As a player, Price was part of the excellent Kington side of the 1970s to 1990s and was a true all-rounder.

As an opening bowler, he was capable of real pace and hostility, while as a batsman in the early middle order, was able to shape the game whatever the circumstances.

His shrewd talent at reading the game became ever clearer when he took on the Kington captaincy, leading the border club to their greatest moment, victory in the national village knock-out at Lord’s in 1992.

As a coach, he passed on his skills first at Kington and then at Brockhampton, where he linked up with his son Owen, the villagers’ captain as they became established in the top flight of regional cricket.

"When we got promoted to the Birmingham League, we needed a great coach so I rung him and asked if he would do it.

"He said yes and in the following five years took us right through to the Premier League."

Current first-team players who Price coached include Adam Hewlett, Chris Powell, Jonny Walker and Henry Langford.

"He was an excellent coach and truly was a legend of a man," added Wargen.

Price was also the operations manager at Herefordshire Cricket and was playing a full and vital role in the development of the sport he loved in the county which was his home all his life when his final illness struck him down.

Herefordshire Cricket chairman Derek Ling said that Price's death leaves a huge hole in many lives.

"He was a true professional who was incredibly passionate about cricket - especially cricket here in Herefordshire," said Ling.

"As operations manager at Herefordshire Cricket, he managed and lead our team locally, coached our young players and worked with our county clubs to help them develop and upgrade their facilities.

"In fact, he did just about everything he could to improve cricket in our county, including regularly mowing the outfield here at Pentland Gardens.

"He loved cricket and he made a difference to an enormous number of people.

"He enjoyed great success on the field, but he also wanted to give something back and has helped many young players progress and achieve their potential.

The biggest compliment I can pay Ed is that his influence will continue to be felt even though he is no longer with us.

"Ed’s legacy can be found at the Herefordshire Cricket Centre at Pentland Gardens. He played a key role in driving this project forward and helping secure the grants that enabled us to develop the pavilion and ground here that so many youngsters now enjoy."

Price was also a talented footballer in his younger days, until a broken leg curtailed that particular avenue of his sporting life.

He leaves behind his wife Sue, sons Owen and Rhys and daughters Helen and Sarah.

His funeral will be at Kington Church at 1pm on Wednesday, July 8.

Attendees are asked to wear their cricket club ties or blazers.