Death of York sportsman Tom Mitchell

Tom Mitchell, one of York's best known sporting personalities, has died suddenly in York District Hospital. He was 52, writes Malcolm Huntington.

Mr Mitchell, a director of the family business Mitchell's Sports, which closed last year, had a number of hospital tests after feeling unwell and had a stomach operation when a tumour was discovered on December 28.

He was born in Beckfield Lane, York, in July 1947, the second son of Tom Mitchell, the former York City Football Club manager, and Rene. He was a pupil at Shipton Street Junior School from where he was awarded a free scholarship to St Peter's School.

There he was in a second wicket partnership of 272 with Peter Nettleton against Worksop College in 1963, both getting hundreds in a record for any wicket which still stands.

Mr Mitchell was named man of the match for his fine innings and wicket keeping when playing for English Public Schools against English State Schools at Liverpool.

David Kirby, a former Leicestershire captain, who was one of Mr Mitchell's coaches at St Peter's, said today: "This has come as a terrible shock. Tom was outstanding as a cricketer, rugby player and hockey player during his time at school."

On leaving St Peter's Mr Mitchell studied as an accountant and joined the York firm of Norman Waud, Hollingsworth and partners (now Morrell, Middleton and partners). He moved to the family sports company in 1973 and was there until it closed in July 1999.

He played for Woodhouse Grange in the York and District Senior Cricket League and also for the League's representative team.

Mr Mitchell played football as a defender or midfield player for Cliftonville, York Wednesday and Mitre, a Sunday League team run by his brother, Guy. He was also a keen squash enthusiast, playing at York RI and Oval Ball.

Mr Mitchell leaves a wife, Julie, and sons Tom and Peter.

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