soccer and cricket player Charles (Case) Ford who passed away in his 68th year last week and was buried yesterday.

He was a giant on the field of play in stature and in ability during the 50s and early 60s, making an impact in both sports during those days while appearing for Pond Hill Stars in cricket and Pembroke Juniors and Dock Hill Rangers in soccer.

He was easily recognised for using a white band strapped around his head while playing cricket, and when roars were usually heard from a game in which he played one could be assured it was Ford bashing the ball out of the ground for yet another massive six.

A very competent centre-back, on the soccer pitch he feared nobody and opposing players had to brace themselves as they went into a tackle with the powerfully built Ford.

Sports historian Warrington (Soup) Zuill had fond memories of Ford's sporting life.

"I can picture him now with that band around his forehead while playing cricket for Stars. He was a good opening bowler and was one of the very first players to represent Pond Hill in the league,'' said Zuill.

"He played in several representative matches with the then Somers Isle Cricket League and was in another pick that toured England in 1962. One of his greatest achievements came during the mid-60s when the great English cricketer Tom Graveney toured here and Case bowled him for a duck.'' Ford also made an appearance in Cup Match, playing for St. George's in 1964 where he often made jokes about being one of few to make a duck in both innings -- although he was selected for his bowling.

Zuill also recalls the time when Ford became the first captain of the Dock Worker's International cricket team that was formed to play the Merchants of Bermuda for the Dallas Cup during the 60s.

"Make no mistake about it, Case Ford will be remembered for his all-round sporting abilities on the field of soccer and cricket. He did make quite an impact,'' said Zuill.

Ford was a frequent fan of both sports right up to the time of his death.

SOCCER SOC CRICKET CRI