We were saddened to recently hear of the passing of Norman Cooley (83), a sporting legend who worked at the school between 1975 and 2000 as the Head Groundsman.
Born in Meppershall in January 1941, Norman forged a successful career in both football and cricket, turning out for Bedford Town in the Southern League and for Bedfordshire County Cricket Club in the Minor Counties League.
In playing 738 games for the Eagles in a football career spanning 18 years, Norman established himself as a Bedford Town legend, also becoming the club’s groundsman well into his eighth decade. He was also a youth coach at the club.
He also played for Bedford Town Cricket Club (among other clubs), and was considered a fine wicketkeeper batsman, playing 61 Minor Counties fixtures for Bedfordshire, scoring 2,459 runs alongside 78 catches and 12 stumpings with the gloves. He also became a local history maker, becoming the first Bedfordshire cricketer to score two centuries in the same minor counties match against Lincolnshire in 1964.
There are of course many Bedfordians who have had successful sporting careers, few are able to do so across two different sports, with Norman eventually being nicknamed the ‘Dennis Compton of Bedford’ for his efforts.
In 2017, Norman was recognised as the Southern League Groundsman of the Year, winning an award at a ceremony held at England’s training ground, St George’s Park.
A funeral for Norman will be held on Friday 15th March, 12.15pm at Bedford Crematorium. All are welcome to attend.
Norman Cooley, (back row second from the left) with the Bedfordshire team who played Shropshire at Bedford School in 1963 Image: Bedfordshire CCC