Richard, known by his surname with emphasis on the H, first played for the Club at the tender age of 13 in 1955. This was the start of a long association with the club which continued until his passing, including playing for 30 years until 1985.

Hodder, who was predominately a second team player, would lay claim to being an all-rounder. His batting could be effective: he scored nine fifties with the highest being 69. His leg break bowling either confused the opposition and gave him five or more wickets or was dispatched to the boundary.

Hodder captained the second XI in 1972 and subsequently was vice captain for the following three years. He served on the Committee for three years from 1972 and in 1988 he was elected a Vice President of the Club. He was also a Trustee of the Hertford Cricket & Hockey Association, which in recent years has held the lease of Balls Park, and continued to keep a close interest in the affairs of the Club until the end.

Away from Balls Park, Hodder played rugby for Old Hertfordians, subsequently Hertford RFC, in the social sides at Hoe Lane, where to some of his contemporaries he was affectionately known as Worm. After playing he was elected a Vice President of Hertford RFC and was a very regular attendee at 1st XV matches, both home and away.

Hodder’s other sport was golf. He was a member of East Herts Golf Club and was secretary of the Old Hertfordians Golfing Society.

Despite poor health over the past couple of years, Richard continued to attend matches both at Hoe Lane and Balls Park and was at Balls Park for the last time only a couple of weeks ago.

In Brian Box’s words, “He was a great social asset to the Club”.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Sandra, daughter Claire and the rest of his family.