R.I.P. Tony 'Butts' Butterfield

Rest in Peace

The news we have been expecting for some while but that doesn't make it any easier to absorb as we learn that Kirkheaton Con bowler, Tony Butterfield, passed away on Saturday at Kirkwood Hospice after a long illness.

Tony was very well known in local bowling circles both for his bowling capabilities and his friendly and engaging manner. You rarely saw an opposing bowler leave the green without a smile on his face as you didn't play against Tony, instead you experienced a friendly afternoon walk in his company with good banter given and taken but never in a hurtful manner.

In the seven years I have bowled in the same Veterans League team as Tony I only saw him fall out with an opponent twice. Both times his opponent had asked for his wood back after it had gone off course and hit a wood in another game. He looked on that as being against the spirit of the game and almost cheating. A claim that would never be laid at his door as he would be the first to discard a wayward wood or concede an end where some problem may have arisen.

Butts loved dressing up for matchdays with any combination of colours suiting his mood. The colour factor wasn't restricted to his clothes as he had a selection of different coloured woods to match his matchday mood, which was almost always flamboyant. He just loved to be bowling. I sometimes think he selected the most colourful items whether they matched or not, it was just another topic of conversation or an ice-breaker as he prowled around the green. He would take the banter about his dress sense and comeback with a digging reminder that it wasn't really important in the grand scheme of things. A man who had got his priorities right.

Tony was easy to like and almost impossible to fall out with. He had a permanent smile with or without an audience. Be that an audience of one or twenty he thrived in people's company and was invariably the centre of attention and always great company. A big family man with Anne and grandchildren often escorting him on matchdays.

Bowling matchdays are going to be very different now but I am very pleased to have known Butts and spent time in his company. The club will miss him and his dedication to his role as joint greenkeeper with Garry Senior. The green has never looked better due to the efforts and expertise of both of them. The Winter League is indebted to Butts and Garry for sponsoring a trophy and contributing to the format of the Winter Cup.

The loss to the bowling club cannot compare to the loss to his family and we think of them at this very sad time. Rest in Peace Butts.

This is one of my favourite photos of Tony. It is the 2019 Veteran's League Rose Bowl Final at Almondbury BC when he narrowly lost to Mick Cox after an absorbing encounter on a really hot day. Two men at the top of their game, highly competitive but played in the right manner.with referee Ray Tunnacliffe joining in the relaxed spirit of the day.