Middlesex Cricket is saddened to hear of the passing for former Club Secretary, Joe Hardstaff MBE.
Hardstaff was born in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, on 28th February 1935 and passed away on 22nd November 2022, aged 87.
He was the third member of his family in successive generations to play first-class cricket, following in the footsteps of his father, Joe Hardstaff Junior, and his grandfather, Joe Hardstaff Senior, who both represented Nottinghamshire before going on to play Test cricket for England.
Former Secretary Joe Hardstaff was a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium fast bowler. He played for the Free Foresters in two first-class matches, between 1961 and 1962, Captained the RAF's cricket team, played for the Combined Services eleven, and also represented Marylebone Cricket Club.
He was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and rose to the rank of Air Commodore.
In his later years he became President of both the RAF and Combined Services Cricket Clubs and took the role of Secretary of Middlesex County Cricket Club in 1989, succeeding Lieutenant Colonel Peter Packham in the role. He remained in post as the Club's Secretary until 1997 when he was succeeded by Vinny Codrington.
All at Middlesex Cricket pass their best wishes, thoughts and prayers to Joe's family and his many friends at this saddest of times.
