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It’s always a sad day for any sports league when they lose one of their own. It’s no different for English cricket that is now mourning the death of an important figure in their circle. This will probably cause the thoughts about the coming back of cricket odds and matches to be set aside.

Lancashire Cricket Club confirmed that Lancashire chairman David Hodgkiss died at the age of 71 due to the Coronavirus. He is the first individual directly involved in the professional British sport to die after having tested positive for COVID-19. Hodgkiss also had underlying health issues even before his passing.

The club published the following statement on Monday morning:

‘Further to the announcement from his family, it is with great sadness that Lancashire Cricket announces the passing of its Chairman; David Hodgkiss, O.B.E.

David served the club with distinction over many years including holding the offices of Treasurer, Vice-Chairman and latterly Chairman.

He was much loved by everyone at Lancashire Cricket Club and respected throughout the cricketing world.

Our sincere condolences and thought and prayers are with his family. A further statement will be released in due course, but at this time we ask that everybody respects that family’s privacy.’

He had been on the board at Old Trafford since 1998 acting the roles of Treasurer and Vice-Chairman before succeeding Michael Cairns in April of 2017 as the Chairman. Hodgkiss was a central figure in the renovation of Old Trafford over the past decade. 

His regime was a period of refurbishment and includes the construction of The Point along with £9 million worth of public funding. Due to the success of his plans, The Old Trafford was awarded both prestigious India vs Pakistan World Cup fixture along with the first semi-final.

At the news of the beloved chairman’s passing, tributes started to flow for David Hodgkiss from the entire sports league. It was led by the managing director of England cricket and the former head coach of Lancashire, Ashley Giles. 

Giles went on his Twitter account to express his grief for the tragedy.

Players also expressed their condolences and shared their impression of the man in the micro-blogging site. 

‘Old Trafford won’t be the same without Hodgkiss,’ said Mike Atherton, the former England and Lancashire star.

Matt Parkinson also wrote how sad the news was and that Hodgkiss is ‘a great man who always had time for everyone and loved the [club]’ and that he will remember the man’s capping speech for a long time.

Alex Davies said this news wa awful and described Hodgkiss as a ‘Funny man who loved the [club]. Played a huge part in getting the club to where it is today’. 

Davies also shared that it was Hodgkiss that gave him his county cap and that he will forever be grateful to the man.

William Livingstone’s tweet declares that it was a piece of devastating news. He also expressed that Hodgkiss was a pleasure to be around.

Every tweet from each of the players expressed how Hodgkiss was a great man who had time for everyone. They also express how Hodgkiss was passionate about cricket and how he helped bring it to where it is today. 

The devastation of not being able to watch any match nor place wagers on crickets odds weighs nothing compared to the news that a great man is no longer on this Earth.