Friends and players remember Golden Point’s Des Lloyd
Ballarat cricket is mourning one of its most popular and well respected figures as those close to him reflect on a stunning career and life.
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The Ballarat cricket community is mourning the death of one of its greatest ever players and umpires.
Des Lloyd died last week at the age of 83 following a career that spanned more than five decades.
Lloyd — a former player, coach and umpire — moved to Ballarat in 1966 from Colac and found his home at the Golden Point Cricket Club.
On and off the field Lloyd left his legacy at the club, which is still there to this day.
“Des was one of the stalwarts who actually brought the Golden Point team to be the powerhouse it is today,” Golden Point president Jason Kelly said.
“Back in the 70s and 80s, Golden Point, they were the whipping boys in the competition.
“They were struggling to win games, struggling to get players.”
Lloyd served as president from 1974-78 and was a committee member for more than 20 years.
His efforts on and off the field helped the club end its 25-year premiership drought in the late 80s.
“He saw the fruits of all his work,” Kelly said.
“When we won our First XI premiership in the 1987 season he was there.
“He was 49-years-old playing in another premiership team (1988-89).”
Kelly got to know the legendary figure as a teenager when he and Lloyd played in the Third XI premiership in 1991.
As a 51-year-old, according to the current president, he bowled 26 overs during the grand final.
“He was the energiser bunny meets an older gentleman,” Kelly said.
“He just kept on going for many years and always had the energy to coach the kids and umpire the kids.”
By the time it was time to hang up the bat and ball, Lloyd played over 300 games — scoring more than 7000 runs and taking over 450 wickets.
He was also heavily involved in the junior program.
Many of the club’s current players were taught by Lloyd.
“He was a very genuine person,” Kelly said.
“The cricket club gave him a lot so he wanted to give a lot back. He was competitive but a gentleman on the field.
“He never said a bad word to anyone.
“I’m not sure why the family moved to Ballarat in 1966, but he pretty much took up with Golden Point then, put his roots down and we’ve reaped the benefits since then.
“He was always there for us, he taught us the value of being honest in cricket. “The cricket gods smile on you the harder you work and the more effort you put in.
“If you respect the game, the game will respect you. “Those are the morals Des passed on to us.”
Kelly said it’s been a tough few days for the club.
Last Saturday, Golden Point wore black armbands in their First XI match against Mount Clear and are expected to do it again this Saturday on day two.
The club will also hold a special ceremony at the club to remember him.
Lloyd kept playing up until he physically and mentally couldn’t.
Not content with a stunning career at Golden Point he represented Victoria and Australia in the Over 70s Veterans cricket.
He played three tests for Australia and faced England in England and was man of the match in one age at the age of 73.
Lloyd will forever be remembered as Cap 11 for Australia’s Over 70 team.
Close friend and BCA hall of fame member John O’Brien said it was one of his greatest achievements, playing for Australia.
Both umpired together once Lloyd stopped playing.
He umpired more than 300 games of Ballarat cricket in the 18 seasons he was involved.
“I think he was quite an astute and confident umpire,” O’Brien said.
“I umpired with him in the BCA games and also public schools association.
“We got along really well.”
O’Brien played against Lloyd during his days as captain of Brown Hill and said he played the game hard but fair.
And it was him who convinced the former Golden Point player to get involved in umpiring.
“He was very popular around the ground,” O’Brien said.
“He was a very quiet person and he was very left handed. “One of the few umpires who waved a four with his left hand and gave people out with his left hand.”
O’Brien revealed he never rushed into decisions either.
“He always took his time and gave the finger up.
“Most people respected him for that.”
O’Brien said he was a great family man who was protective of his family.
Lloyd’s feats on and off the field have him as a life member for Golden Point Cricket Club and in the hall of fame for the Ballarat Cricket Umpires Association and the Ballarat Cricket Association.
In 2016, he was given a gold watch by his club for 50 years of service to them.
The BCA, in a statement, said Lloyd would be missed in the cricket community.
“Des was a well-respected cricketer, coach and umpire in the Ballarat Cricket Association,” the association said.
“Des’ contribution to cricket in Ballarat was recognised in 2020 when he was inducted in the BCA Hall of Fame.
“He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Lloyd’s funeral will be held on Friday at 10am at Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Gillies St in Wendouree.
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