FORMER Greenmount cricket captain and professional Terry Stewart has died, aged 75, after a battle with cancer.

He was professional when the club joined the Bolton League in 1984 and captained them to their first title in 1988, when future Australian captain Mark Taylor was professional.

Terry, who regularly took more than 100 wickets a season and was a hard-hitting batsman, represented Lancashire second team and also had spells with Brooksbottom and Ramsbottom.

He later played in the same team as son Mark, who went on to become the Bolton League's leading wicket taker of all time.

As well as his son Mark, Terry also leaves behind wife Beryl, daughter Karen and four grandchildren, Dan, Emily, Olivia and Katie.

His death was announced in a statement from Greenmount Cricket Club.

"Greenmount Cricket Club are sad to announce the passing of Terry Stewart, on the 1st September; a past professional, captain and player of the club.

"As a young lad Terry started his cricket career at Brooksbottom in Summerseat, before moving to Ramsbottom.

"At Ramsbottom he formed a much-feared opening attack with Brian Fielding and his talent saw him represent Lancashire second team.

"Greenmount signed Terry as professional in 1976, when they were in the Second Division of the then Lancashire and Cheshire League, and he became their longest serving professional.

"Terry’s bowling, together with his hard-hitting batting, was instrumental in transforming Greenmount into one of the main teams in the league and their subsequent move to the Bolton League.

"His performances on the pitch are too numerous to mention, but he regularly took 100 wickets in a season and entertained the crowds with his big hitting.

"He was still the Greenmount professional when the club moved into the Bolton League in 1984.

"Upon retiring as pro, he went back to Ramsbottom for a brief period before returning to the club as captain and led Greenmount to their first Bolton League title in 1988, in a team that contained the future Australian captain Mark Taylor as professional.

"It gave him much pleasure to play in the same team as his son Mark and nephew John Ashworth.

"In retirement he was a regular visitor to Greenmount and he was immensely proud to watch Mark become the Bolton League’s leading wicket taker of all time.

"He will be sadly missed by all at Greenmount and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.’’