Farsley residents are being asked to vote for the sporting hero they would like to see included on a sports mural in the village.
Community organisation Project Farsley has been awarded a Sporting Heritage Community Grant to commission a sports-themed mural in Farsley.
Voting is open until 30 April 2025 and people have choice between cricketing legend Ray Illingworth or table tennis inspiration Sandra Rider.
Ray Illingworth (1932–2021) was an English cricketer and captain, born in Farsley. A skilled all-rounder, he played for Yorkshire and Leicestershire, excelling as a right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler.
Ray made his England debut in 1958 and later captained the national team, leading them to an Ashes victory in Australia in 1970-71. Known for his tactical acumen and strong leadership, he played 61 Test matches, scoring over 1,800 runs and taking 122 wickets.
After retiring as a player, he became a coach, commentator, and England’s chairman of selectors in the 1990s. He was widely respected for his deep understanding of the game and significant contributions to English cricket.
Ray Illingworth had strong connections to Farsley throughout his life. He was born and raised there, attending local schools and playing cricket for Farsley Cricket Club, where he developed his skills before progressing to county and international levels.
Sandra Rider is a distinguished international table tennis player and coach from Farsley who has played for England 25 times.
She began her journey in the sport at the age of 13 during a rainy day at Butlin’s Holiday Camp in Skegness. By 15, she held England number four ranking.
Resuming competitive play aged 32, Sandra’s international achievements include a European Gold in the Over 50s doubles in Italy, in 2003, two European Bronze medals in 2013 in Germany, and a World Championship Bronze medal in USA.
In May 2022, at 70, Sandra became a national champion by winning both the singles and doubles titles at the National Veterans Table Tennis Championships in Wolverhampton. In 2023, Sandra won double silver in the singles and doubles at the World Veteran Table Tennis Championships in Oman, achieving number one ranking in the UK for her age group.
As an active and well-respected member of the local sports community Sandra continues to inspire players of all ages, reinforcing Farsley’s reputation for producing top-tier athletes.
Votes can be cast here.
Project Farsley volunteers have already created one mural in Farsley, which is on the side of houses on Croft Street.
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