Former players, coaches and staff of both Charlton Athletic and Kent Cricket joined the Ufton family to celebrate the extraordinary life of Derek Ufton at Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday.
Ufton, who sadly passed away last March at the age of 92, played both first-class cricket and professional football in a lifelong love affair with both sports that didn’t end with his retirement from playing, serving as both a President of Kent Cricket and a Director of Charlton long past his playing days.
In a Memorial Service led by the Dean of Canterbury, Robert Willis, tributes were made to a “proud Man of Kent” and a “gentleman” full of “legendary stories”.
Former Kent captain Matthew Fleming read a poem at a service held inside the Nave of the Mother Church of England alongside memories of Derek’s extraordinary life from family and friends, while Charlton's Club Chaplain Matt Baker also addressed the congregation.
Alan Curbishley, Steve Gritt, Lennie Lawrence, Colin Walsh, Bob Bolder and Richard Murray were among the numerous attendees connected with the club.
A recap of the service can be accessed via Canterbury Cathedral’s official YouTube channel by clicking here.