It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the recent loss of Billy Savage, Honorary Life Member of Ulster Hockey, stalwart of Ulster and Irish Hockey (and Cricket!)
When it was undoubtedly less fashionable to do so, Billy championed and supported women’s sport, particularly our sport and women’s cricket. He held office as Treasurer of the UWHU and Secretary of the Umpires’ Association and as a working umpire he officiated at both Club and Interprovincial level. In the Cricket world he served as President of the Irish Women’s Cricket Union and was an Ulster and Irish selector and scorer.
He was most often seen at Deramore Park as a former Collegian, latterly Belfast Harlequin, for over 70 years and was umpiring for the Women’s Hockey section right into his 9th decade. Throughout those years he umpired and supported at all levels and took pride in the growth of hockey in our Club – our Club man!
We recently celebrated his 90th birthday and rightly honoured him at our AGM:
‘He umpired countless matches
Was our ever-present ally
You know, of course, of whom I speak-
None other than our Billy’
Rest peacefully, Billy. You will be well remembered and sadly missed.
