By Alesha Capone
The sports community has paid tribute to Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club life member Pat Matthey, who passed away on November 9 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.
Mr Matthey was described as a “legend” in a post on the cricket club’s official Facebook page.
“We will miss Pat’s regular appearances at the club on a Saturday, showing his support and sharing his stories which we all enjoyed,” the post said.
While Mr Matthey was alive, the club’s third eleven medal was also named in his honour.
As well, during 2010, Mr Matthey was made a member of the Hoppers Crossing Sports Club Hall of Fame.
Mr Matthey, who was born in 1937, grew up in Wangaratta and Port Fairy. He first played cricket at the age of 13 with the Port Fairy Seniors, and football at the age of 15.
In 1973, Mr Matthey and his wife Finola moved to Hoppers Crossing.
During 1974, Mr Matthey took his son Vaughn to the Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club to see if he could get a game. In addition to Vaughn joining the Under-9s, Mr Matthey was made a coach of the Under-10s and put in the Hoppers Crossing seconds.
He went on to captain the Hoppers Crossing 3rd Eleven in 1982, during which the club scored its first-ever open age premiership win. Mr Matthey went on to coach the club’s juniors and Under-17s.
Mr Matthey’s daughter Narrelle said that her father loved sport, regardless of what it was or which team was playing.
