The loss of Tom is a tragic blow to everyone
TOM Hardman, one of the most talented players to come through the junior system at Heywood CC, has tragically died at the age of 21. He would have been 22 on Monday, December 3.
He was found on Wednesday in his room at Leeds Metropolitan University, where he was taking a BSc in Sports and Exercise Sciences.
Tom played for most of the junior teams at Crimble and went on to become a key member of the first team, before going on to take a professional post in the Ribblesdale League despite his tender years.
Tom also became a member of the Lancashire Academy, and was so highly thought of that he played some games for the county’s Second XI side.
He played for Middleton in the Central Lancashire League last season, but was always still a regular face at Crimble, where he had so many friends.
Our deepest sympathies go to his Mum and Dad, Margaret and Richard, and the rest of his family at what is a dreadful time for them.
Details of the funeral will be posted when available.
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RIP Tom, a wonderful young man and a delight to be around. You will be sorely missed. Condolences to Margaret and Richard from all at Middleton CC.
I only knew Tom since I came back to Heywood and found him to be everything I was told he was. A lovely lad, well-educated, well brought-up, funny and engaging. Such a shame.
We are a town and club in mourning today and can not comprehend what Richard, Margaret, Scott and the rest of the family are going through but I send them my condolences and all my love.
Tom was a legend in the making. I always used to call him a “cricketing superstar” which he was. Throughout his time playing at Heywood and afterwards he was always a model clubman helping out on and off the pitch, ready to get stuck in at a moments notice.
I shall remember those far too few warm summer nights with the lads playing patio cricket and having the most excellent banter. They say the good die young and it is certainly true in Tom’s case, he was one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet who always had a smile and made you smile. To have known Tom I feel very privileged.
RIP Superstar. Heywood will not be the same without you.
Tom broke into the 2nd X1 when he was about 13 or 14 when i was captain, i knew then what he would become, not just as a cricketer but as a human being.
One of the nicest young young men you could wish to meet, courteous, polite, funny and ambitious.
This is a tragic blow to Margaret and Richard, the whole family and all his friends.
Tom has achieved so much in such a short life.
Heywood CC will never forget him. Sleep peacefully Tom.
Deepest sympathies to all those close to Tom and especially Margaret and Richard. Tom was a special young man, respectful and polite, and it was a joy to see him grow up in the second X1 and make a success of his cricketing career at first team level and beyond. A very, very sad loss indeed. God Bless
Anne and I knew Tom through his emerging years at Crimble, but we really got to know him well when a Heywood CC party went on holiday to the West Indies on England’s last tour there.
We found him to be one of the nicest lads you could wish to meet and his passing is a tragedy, in the true meaning of the word. Tom had so much to look forward to.
To Richard and Margaret and the rest of the family, we can’t imagine what you are going through. Please accept our sincere condolences
I did not know Tom personally but had heard storys through Vinnie.
This mirrors the death of good cricketer from Delph called Michael Garside who was also 21. Just a waste of life. RIP Tom and Michael
The tragic loss of such a gentle young gentleman beggars belief. Tom lived up to his name on the pitch, even at a young age, but a smile was never far from his lips, and he was always ready, willing and able to pitch in and help. So many memories….so different and so special for so many people – a tribute to the impact this young man made in his short life. At the forefront is one preserved on a dvd…the winning runs scored by a 15 year old Tom from the fifth ball of the last over of the 2006 Wood Cup Final at Towncroft.
Tom you certainly upheld Heywood’s motto – ‘I fly high’ – in everything you did.
Margaret, Richard and Scott – our deepest sympathies.
Martyn, Lindsay, Suzie and Jonathan
I am really shock at the moment to hear of this. I have seen Tom mature as a person and cricketer the two seasons I spent at the club. He was a really nice guy to be around and was always keen on improving . I enjoyed the moments we had together in the middle.
My deepest sympathies to his Mum ,Dad and the rest of his family.
In these moments of utter, utter tragedy and shock, its a small comfort to be able to say i had the pleasure of not only playing cricket alongside Tom for a few seaons but also being a friend to him away from the cricket pitch !! It was a privledge to have known Tom for the short time he was with us !!
Seeing Tom come into the first team not saying boo to a goose and ending up at the forefront of most of the banter and jokes, highlights how fortunate we are as a group of players to bond and grow in a way some on the outside don’t always have a full insight too !!
On the pitch, in the clubhouse, out in town for beers with the lads, Tom grew into the young lad we’re all looking back on now so fondly of !! Its also fitting that whatever comment you read about Tom, be it from a team-mate, University friend, old Romida colleague or supporter the message is always the same!! Tom Hardman was a very, very decent young man loved by many !!
Condolonces to Margaret, Richard and the rest of his family.
RIP Tommy H ………….. Lurker, Lemon, Legend (he’d understand) !!
It’s still very difficult to come to terms with the tragic news received on Wednesday night.
As many have said already Tom was a very special lad. In times like this you sit back and think of the memories you hold.
I’ll remember Tom as being someone who I enjoyed being around very much, he was the heart and soul of any group of people that he was in the company of.
It was great to play with Tom in the first team and watch him progress rapidly as he did over the course of a few years, his talent was unquestionable. As Martin alluded to earlier what a special moment it was for Tom to hit the winning runs in the 2006 Wood Cup Final!
The two years when we had a lot of success with Sherwin as pro were for me the most enjoyable two years of my playing time at HCC, a time shared as a team mate of Tom. I’m sure the rest of the lads from that team will agree those couple of years were a pleasure to be a part of and speaks volumes for how good a team can be if they are together as a unit. Teams like this only become good when the have characters like Tom in the dressing room – with his talent on the field and his presence of it. – like I said earlier the heart and soul!
Such a shame to have a great lad, and more importantly a great friend taken from us so early. RIP big fella!
Thoughts are with Margaret, Richard and the rest of the family
xxxxx
http://tom-hardman.gonetoosoon.org/
please feel free to put your messages on the online memorial for Tom.
Just read the news on here and I couldn’t believe what I was reading – what an absolute tragedy and waste of such a talented young life.
I played with Tom for a season or two in the seconds before he moved on to the better things he was always destined for so I didn’t see a lot of him in later years. However, whenever I did, I found that the success he was having had never changed him and he remained the epitomy of politeness and courtesy. An absolute role model in how a young man should conduct himself.
My heartfelt sympathies go to Margaret and Dick and family.
God bless you Tom.
It was a privilege to play with Tom when he was a young lad starting his career in the second team. At that age his enthusiasm and outstanding ability shone through. Off the field he was a lovely guy who was always approachable, courteous and friendly. My deepest sympathy to Margaret, Richard and family.
Tom you will be sadly missed.
What tragic news, so very sad and untimely.
Thoughts and feeelings to Tom’s family, you can be very proud of the impact Tom made on those who he knew and spent time with. He will be missed.
God bless Tom and rest in peace.
Oliver Slawson
I’m still in a state of shock, I read the tributes on here, Facebook and twitter and I’m convinced everyone is talking about somebody else, how can it be that someone so talented with his life in front of him can have it cruelly snatched away.
It was obvious from a young age tom had everything required to be a top class cricketer and he never disappointed scoring big runs and taking wickets. I was batting with tom when he scored his maiden century for Heywood against Clitheroe in the lancashire cup,they tried everything to stop him bowling wides etc he came to me and said don’t worry about my 100 let’s just win the game that was the mark of the lad. I used to look back on that event and take some reflective glory for being involved in his first but now it will be a moment I treasure.
A true all rounder in every sense this included off the field as well. A quiet start in the dressing room soon changed and tom became the life and soul. If there was any mickey taking to be had tom would not be shy in airing his views.
There is no-one paying tribute to tom who as anything but great things to say about this terrific lad he truly is a credit to himself and his parents and I’m proud to call him my friend. Toms passing is affecting many people, this just shows his popularity and the comments from everyone show that nobody will ever get over this fully.
Our loss is heavens gain and there will be a star shining brighter than any other in the night sky. Rest in peace tom xx
My sincerest condolences to Richard, Margaret, Scott and the rest of the family
I can only endorse what everyone has said.
Tom was a superb young cricketer, but above all else one of the nicest lads you could ever wish to meet.
It was only last season that I had a long chat with him on the boundary edge at Middleton on matters cricket and rum shacks in Barbados.
Tragedy is an over-used word, but in the death of such a great lad at such a young age it is entirely appropriate.
Rest in peace Tom.
Heartfelt condolences to Richard, Margaret and Scott.
Keith and Kay.
Tom sleep peacefully, it was a pleasure to have known you. You were such a nice lad, We can still see you at the Hypnotist night – you were very funny! Our heartfelt sympathy go to your Mum & Dad and to your brother Scott and your little nephew Noah. RIP
Jack & Gwen Edwards
Folks
Tom’s funeral will be held at 10.15am on Thursday 13th December at St Joseph’s Church, followed by the wake at Heywood Civic Hall.
#RIPTOM