Bermuda cricket legend Clarence Parfitt says he is deeply saddened by the recent death of Leroy (Peter Rabbit) Trott who he credited for contributing to his development.

From his home in Scotland where he is cricket's Regional Community Development Manager of Angus, Dundee and Fife, Parfitt recalled joining his first cricket club, Hamilton Parish, back in the mid-60s and played under Trott for several years.

"I clearly remember meeting him when I first went there, he was skipper and was a great guy to be with and to play for, that's for sure," said Parfitt.

"One of the highlights was when he skippered our team that toured Kingston, Jamaica in the mid-60s with well-known coach A.S. (Bunkers) Bean. That tour saw us take some good talent to the islands, including players such as Shelton Furbert and good bowlers like Ralph Creighton and Mervyn Warner. There were too many other prominent members of the squad to mention."

Parfitt recalled Trott as a very useful right-arm medium pacer who loved the game and was always anxious to improve the standard of young players.

Trott, small in stature, was a lively player on the field and was always eager to take the ball, even as late as fifth change when needed and his fast run-ups were often deceptive and his slower deliveries often bafflied batsmen, said Parfitt.

From his early days playing in the Hamilton Parish area right up to his death, Trott was an avid follower of the game. He rarely missed an Eastern Counties Cup game or Cup Match and and looked forward to West Indies' Test matches in Kingston.

He had planned to visit Jamaica next month to witness the series between the West Indies and England.

A familiar face at the Kingston Cricket Club during Test matches, Trott put such visits on his calendar after being enthralled by his first Test which he watched while leading Hamilton Parish on a tour of Jamaica in the the mid-60s.

He often reminded friends of that first occasion when he and his Parish players watched in awe at Sabina Park when legends Sir Frank Worrell of the West Indies and Australia's Richie Benaud walked onto the field to take the toss.

During that encounter the local players got their first chance to see first hand such legends as Gary Sobers, Seymour Nurse, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith and a long list of Australian greats.

"That was an occasion that all of us will long remember," said Parfitt. "Of course, that tour and other fond cricket memories are something that Peter and I talked about often whenever I returned to Bermuda and I ran into him.

"Peter had cricket runnning through his blood right until the end. You talked about cricket and he would light up. He was that kind of avid supporter of the sport."

When his playing days ended, Trott took up umpiring for a while and in recent years he got involved in organising a cricket competiton featuring the Bermuda All-Stars and New Jersey All-Stars – a contest which was held in East Orange, New Jersey that has become hugely popular, attracting a large following from the Island.

For his contibution to the event Trott, whose role had previously been that of team manager, was made Honourable Manager.

"He was a great person. I send my condolences to his family and I wish all of my Bermuda friends Happy New Year from Scotland," said Parfitt.