CRICKETERS in Hexham have paid a lasting tribute to a loyal supporter who became known as their 12th man.

Arthur Crosby was a firm fixture at Hexham Leazes for the best part of a decade, staunchly following the club’s second team both home and away.

Players gathered to unveil a new seat outside the pavilion in memory of Arthur, who died on July 25 last year, aged 77.

Each week, the Yorkshireman, the father of second team batsman Tony Crosby, would travel from his Newcastle home to watch the team.

Former captain Jerry Taylor said: “Arthur was our only fan! He had a big smile on his face and loved a joke. His calls from the boundary could be heard by every player. He spurred us all on and kept us all right.

“We were all saddened by the loss of Arthur. He was the life and soul of the place, and a seat in his memory is a sign of the impression he made on us all.”

Born in Leeds, Arthur spent much of his life in Newcastle, where he worked at a prominent brewery until his retirement.

Son Tony said: “He enjoyed watching cricket and loved the atmosphere in and around all of the clubs I played at, especially at Leazes. His biggest asset was he never judged anyone, he gave every person a chance. If you couldn’t get on with Arthur, it was your loss.”