Veronica Trueman opens Trueman Enclosure

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Veronica and Rodney Trueman cut the tape to officially open the Trueman enclosure

Fred Trueman’s widow, Veronica, and his son, Rodney, proudly cut the ribbon today to officially open the Trueman Enclosure at Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground.

The ceremony was watched by spectators and members of the Yorkshire CCC Board. A moving tribute was read out by David Hall and Robin Smith ???(??B?o?a?r?d? ??D?i?r?e?c?t?o?r??)? ?o?r?c?h?e?s?t?r?a?t?e?d? ?p?r?o?c?e?e?d?i?n?g?s.

The Club announced in December 2009 that the old Wintershed Lower Stand which now sits proudly in front of the new five-tier Carnegie Pavilion was to bear the name of one of Yorkshire cricket’s favourite sons.

When Fred Trueman died in July 2006 the Club stated it would find a fitting way to remember one of the greatest fast bowlers the sport has ever seen and the new Trueman Enclosure keeps the name, achievements and memory of one of Yorkshire cricket’s most famous players at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Fred played 67 Tests for England, claiming 307 wickets (a record at the time) and took well over 2,000 first-class wickets in a career that spanned four decades. During his career he bowled over 100 thousand balls – an amazing workload and achievement for a fast bowler playing in just over 600 matches.

The county of Yorkshire is known the world over as a hotbed of cricket and the Yorkshire public are some of the most passionate fans in the world. Young Yorkshire men have always been desperate to don the White Rose and turn out for their beloved Yorkshire County Cricket Club. One of the main reasons for the club’s success on the field in the 1950’s and 60’s, and the single biggest reason for young Yorkshire lads trying to bowl as fast as they could, was Fred Trueman. Fred was an inspiration, a hero and a role model to countless Yorkshire folk during his time at the Club and his legend lives on.

Yorkshire cricket is better for Fred Trueman being born just inside its borders and the club is as proud of Fred as he was of being from this great county. He represented both Yorkshire CCC and England with pride and passion all around the world and he put his heart and soul into his performances on the field.

Veronica Trueman has been thrilled that Fred has been honoured in this way: “I am delighted that the Club has taken this step to remember Fred and give him a lasting legacy. He would have been deeply moved and honoured to have a key part of the ground named after him. It is a fitting tribute and I hope it will inspire the young Yorkshire fast bowlers of the future to run down the hill from The Trueman Enclosure and take lots of wickets.”