Brian Hope

Members will be deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player and club director Brian Hope, who died in Marbella following a stroke on New Year’s Day. Brian had lived in Spain for more than 20 years.

Brian served the club with great distinction over many years. After moving from Uddingston to Hamilton Crescent, he was club captain from 1983 to 1985 and a long-serving treasurer throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s. During his captaincy, Brian introduced several young players into the 1st XI, including future Scotland internationals Mike Richardson and Jonathan Williams. In doing so, he helped lay the foundations for the club’s league and cup successes between 1988 and 1994.

Beyond the club, Brian also made a significant contribution to the wider game, serving for an extended period as treasurer on the Scottish Cricket Union committee. A former international player and coach from that era described him as “definitely someone who contributed a lot to cricket in Scotland.”

Although living abroad, Brian remained an occasional visitor to West and retained a close interest in the club, to which he made an enormous personal contribution over many years. His son, Graeme, was a regular participant in both junior and senior cricket at the club, including captaining a West Under-13 side to notable national success in 1988.

Brian’s family have chosen to hold a private cremation in Spain this Friday, with a memorial event in his honour to be held in the club pavilion later this year.

The club extends its deepest condolences to Graeme, daughters Jennifer and Alicia, partner Mona, and all of Brian’s family and friends at this very sad time.