'Wonderful tribute' to cricketing legend Fred Trueman

Relations of Yorkshire hero Fred Trueman attended a ceremony at Maltby Academy’s new sports hall last Friday, organised by Rotherham District Civic Society.

“Fiery” Fred attended the school - then Maltby Hall Secondary - from 1942 to 1945 before going on to county and international glory, becoming, in 1964, the first England bowler to take 300 Test wickets.

The plaque has been provided in co-operation with family and a partnership between the civic society, Maltby Local History Society and the academy.

Trueman died in 2006, aged 75. His sister, Flo Halifax, unveiled the wall-mounted plaque, which she hoped would inspire youngsters at the school to achieve their sporting dreams.

Fred Trueman

Mrs Halifax said her brother would have been delighted at the honour.

“I think he would be very proud of it,” she added. “It’s sad that he’s not here to see it. I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful tribute. This is a beautiful, wonderful day for the Trueman family.”

Mrs Halifax said that while her brother had a controversial image, he was actually a charitable and religious man who was very close to his family. 

She said: “He was honest and truthful and if there was anything he didn’t like, he said it. He said a few things that upset people.

“He was just a nice lad and whenever he phoned me up to see how mum was, he would say: ‘Go and get mum flowers and whatever she wants.’”

History society chairman Alice Rodgers said: “Warm appreciation is due to Maltby Academy for installing the plaque and for hosting the unveiling. 

“We hope that learning of the outstanding achievements of a distinguished former scholar will inspire current and future students.”

David Sutton, chief executive of Maltby Learning Trust, said he hoped that the plaque would highlight the importance of sport at the academy. He said: “We recognise that sport has such an impact on young people. We know it sets young people up for life.”

Student Ben Richardson (14), who has already played for Yorkshire, said: “The plaque will inspire me because Fred Trueman made it from an ordinary school like this one.”