The Flatts community is still coming to terms with the death of former cricket captain Millard Bean this week in an industrial accident at Morgan’s Point.Bean, 47, was both an outstanding cricketer for Flatts and footballer for Wolves, for whom he played as a centre back. Derek Wright, who went to primary school with Bean and later played in the same Flatts team, agreed with Brandon Woolridge’s assessment that “Chris” was an underrated player who would have gone further in the game if he played for a more successful team.In 1988 the pair virtually carried the Flatts batting against St. David’s in the Eastern Counties, with Wright scoring 59 and Bean 43 out of the Flatts total of just 129.“That was special, I remember that and I should look at the record books to refresh everything about it,” said Wright this week.The following year as captain for the first time, Bean scored 50 out of 127-5 in the drawn match against St. David’s. Wright’s memories of Bean go back to primary school days at Elliott.“We always talked about our primary school connections, both Millard and I at Elliott from the time when we used to play tennis ball cricket out there on the field,” recalled Wright. “He and I were the main two in our category growing up. We were in the same class and he is a few months older than me.“We played football and cricket for Elliott and then he went on to play for Wolves and he was an outstanding defender. I don’t know why he didn’t continue with his football, maybe it was too much playing both football and cricket. We parted ways on the football field when I went to play for Devonshire Colts because that’s where my brother played and he played for Wolves because all his brothers played for Wolves.”Added Wright: “At the time he was playing football I think both sports were on par but as time went on and he concentrated more on cricket, he became more recognised for his cricketing talent. I remember he cut the ball so well, that was one of his favourite shots, cutting and hooking. He was a fearless opening bat. He was a natural sportsman in the early 80s.“He had three older brothers - JB (James), Mackie and Brandon Woolridge and a younger brother Troy Bean -and came from a cricketing family. I echo Bran’s sentiments 100 percent, I think a few Flatts players were underrated and that’s how Bermuda is sometimes. He still enjoyed and played his cricket and gave 100 percent and when it came to opening bat he didn’t mess around. He was an aggressive but reliable opening bat.”Bean played in the same team as his brothers Mackie and in 1989 captained Mackie, Brandon and Troy in the Counties. And even when he left the team the following year to play for Hamilton Parish because he wanted a new challenge, Flatts still invited him to play with them in the Eastern Counties.“If he was playing for St. George’s I know he would have made it at the Cup Match level and probably would have gone even further,” said Wright.“He was 100 percent teammate and I can’t say enough good things about him when it came to giving your all for the team. Even as a youngster playing with some of the senior cricketers like the Maxwell Lawrences, Treaddy Gibbonses and Willy Weldons, he stood shoulder to shoulder with this guys when it came to being reliable as a cricketer. Although he was young to those guys a lot of weight did fall on his shoulders and he accepted it with open arms.”Wright is still coming to grips with the loss of a long time friend. “Being in the construction business myself I would see him from time to time in his work truck and we would always holler out to each other,” said Wright. “I know he was experienced at what he did, but it was definitely a shock. Anytime something like this happens all we can do is rally around the family and offer our support.“He was going in the right direction with his personal life and it is definitely a tragedy. His wife just buried her son a week and a half ago and now she has to bury her husband.“He did love Flatts, he played for Hamilton Parish but Flatts was always home to him. It was family.”Bean represented Bermuda in two international youth cricket tournaments, in Denmark in 1981 when he played under another former Flatts player, Rodney Woolridge, and in Holland in ‘83 when Olin Jones captained the team.Bermuda Youth Teams:1981: Rodney Woolridge (capt), Gregory Sampson, Lee Raynor Jr, Olin Jones, Millard Bean, Anthony Amory, Darrin Lewis, Anthony Edwards, Michael Brangman, Maxwell Lawrence, Steven Lightbourne, Roger Trott, Irwin Simmons, George Brown.1983: Olin Jones (capt), Lloyd Fray, Darrin Burchall, Graham Fox, Millard Bean, Toby Trott, Darrin Lewis, Dexter Basden, Craig Brangman, Lee Raynor, Scott Minors, Allan Brangman, Quinton Simmons.