Happy 90th Dickie Bird! Legendary umpire hailed as the ‘soul of cricket’ by friend and TV legend Sir Michael Parkinson… as 230 guests attend birthday bash at Headingley
- Legendary umpire Bird enjoyed his return to Headingley on Wednesday
- Former BBC talk show host Parkinson was one of 230 guests at birthday bash
- Ex-ECB and Yorkshire chair Graves and Baroness Grey-Thompson also attended
Sir Michael Parkinson hailed Dickie Bird as the ‘soul of cricket’ as the legendary umpire celebrated his 90th birthday at Headingley on Wednesday.
The former BBC talk show host was one of 230 guests who joined Bird for a special lunch in the Howard Suite at Yorkshire’s headquarters to mark his milestone.
‘I was in hospital three weeks ago but I was determined to be here because he is my oldest friend,’ said 88-year-old Parky, who used to play cricket with Bird at Barnsley.
‘He is an extraordinary human being. He is one of the most remarkable men I have ever met. And he is the soul of cricket. I am proud to call him a mate.’
Former ECB and Yorkshire chair Colin Graves, the county’s interim chair Baroness Grey-Thompson, ex-Yorkshire captain Steve Patterson and former England spinner Jack Birkenshaw also attended the lunch.
Dickie Bird (L) with TV legend and proud Yorkshireman Sir Michael Parkinson
The legendary umpire enjoyed his return to Headingley on Wednesday
An adapted Jack Daniels logo in his honour for his 90th birthday bash at Headingley
Bird was in good spirits as 230 guests marked his milestone at Headingley on Wednesday
‘Ninety not out — it’s a good age!’ Bird told Mail Sport.
‘I’ll try to go on longer now. Get to 95. A hundred is a big haul but I’ll be trying!
‘I’ve enjoyed the day very much. I would have liked to have gone round all the people and thanked them individually for coming.
‘I was so delighted to see Parky because he’s been my friend all these years. I was so grateful that he came.’
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