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   “He was a true sportsman who played it to win, but never forgot that it was only a game. There was no nastiness in him at all.

   “You could not wish for a better team-mate, or a better opponent.

   “I used to give him lifts to games as my uncle, being in the garage business, had a car to lend me.

   “We struck up a good friendship and would go out together in the evenings for a quiet night as we weren't big boozers like some others.”

   Cole was considered good enough to have played professionally and even into his late 30s was getting asked to help out at First Class counties, but always said no.

   His record for the MCCA XI against touring sides proved he was good enough.

   Mountford said he could understand that as Cole has the work ethic of a professional but preferred the life of an amateur.

   “When I first came into the side he was in the bottom of the order along with me, but turned himself into a decent batsman by hard work,” said Mountford.