Francis Michael Turner MBE

Leicestershire County Cricket Club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Francis Michael (Mike) Turner MBE, the man who brought tremendous success during a memorable 43-year career at Grace Road.

Turner started as a junior professional at the club in 1951 and made his playing debut two years later. In 1957, Turner joined the administration side of the club and by 1960 had been appointed as Secretary, the youngest ever county secretary in England.

He successfully combined the roles of Secretary and Team Manager between 1969 and 1989 and then became Chief Executive of the club until 1993, turning Leicestershire into a major force on the county circuit.

Leicestershire CCC Chairman Paul Haywood said: “Mike was instrumental in revitalising Leicestershire County Cricket Club with the signings of Tony Lock, Ray Illingworth and Brian Davison as well as bringing the younger players through. He brought a great deal of success to the club, particularly in the 1970s.

“Mike was a great innovator of the game and introduced one-day cricket to this country through the Midlands Knockout Cup. On behalf of myself, the Board of Directors, and the whole club, I would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Mike’s family.”

Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Chief Executive Wasim Khan MBE said: “Everybody at Leicestershire County Cricket Club is extremely sad to hear that Mike has passed away. Mike was an inspirational man who will always be remembered for the brilliant work he did at Grace Road.

“Mike’s energy, enthusiasm and passion for the club were there for all to see and he was a tremendous support to me when I started here. We are all extremely sad to lose a man of his calibre and on behalf of the entire club, I would like to pass on our thoughts and sympathies to Mike’s family.”

Turner was quick to recognise the importance of seeing success off the field as well as on it and was a pivotal figure in the purchase of the ground from Leicester City Council in 1965 for £24,000.

He oversaw the redevelopment of Grace Road including a new pavilion in 1966 right through to the Indoor Cricket Centre in 1993, which the club was proud to name after him.

Leicestershire enjoyed some wonderful years under Turner’s leadership including the memorable 1975 season where the team won the Championship for the first time as well as lifting the Benson & Hedges Cup for the second time and beating the touring Australians.

Turner’s astute signings were a key feature in the club’s success including those of inspirational quartet Tony Lock, Raymond Illingworth, Ken Higgs and Graham McKenzie.

Illingworth skippered the side to Benson & Hedges success in 1972 before being in charge of Leicestershire’s most successful year three summers later. He also led the team to two John Player League titles.

Turner built entertaining sides that featured a number of brilliant cricketers who played at the highest level such as Jonathan Agnew, Peter Willey, James Whitaker, Nick Cook, Phil DeFreitas, Chris Lewis, Andy Roberts, Paul Nixon and the player he described as his best ever signing, David Gower.

His legacy was seen after he left Grace Road in 1993, with the club winning two Championships in the space of three years in 1996 and 1998 under coach Jack Birkenshaw and captain James Whitaker.

Turner was a visionary of the game and organised the Midlands Counties Knockout Cup in 1962, the first ever limited overs competition for first-class counties.

After leaving Grace Road, Turner still dedicated a tremendous amount of time to the game, and he was instrumental in raising funds for local clubs in roles with the TCCB and ECB.

Turner, who was awarded a testimonial by the club in 1985, was made a Leicestershire vice president in 1994 and returned to Grace Road in 2003 when the club became an Independent Provident Society with six directors.

Away from cricket, Turner did a lot of work for charity, including being chairman of Charities at Glenfield Hospital. He was Chairman of an appeal to build a breast care centre at Glenfield Hospital and helped to raise £1.4m for its opening in 2001.

A warm, inspirational man who always wanted the best for Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Mike will be greatly missed by all of his friends at Grace Road.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences go to Mike’s family at this extremely sad time. The Leicestershire flag is flying at half-mast at Grace Road.