Tributes pour in for 'genuine all-rounder' Stephen 'Gnome' Young

Stephen, who was involved in various roles at both Falmouth Cricket Club and Falmouth Town Football Club and known affectionately as Gnome, had been receiving care at Treliske Hospital and will be fondly remembered by those who knew him.

Stephen Young was a well-liked character at Falmouth Cricket Club

Mark Averiss, chairman of Falmouth Cricket Club, said: "Falmouth Cricket Club are sad to report the news that stalwart Stephen Young , known to friends and cricketers as Gnome, sadly passed away on Tuesday, April 6 at Treliske Hospital.

"The club would like you to remember Gnome and recall the good times you shared with him.

"Gnome joined the club in the early 70s playing U16 cricket before moving up to the Second 11 where he spent much of playing career.

"Steven also made numerous appearances for the first team and had he been a little fitter or could actually field he may well have played at a higher level.

"When he finally hung his boots up Stephen stayed involved in cricket by umpiring for many more years while remaining an ever present member of the ground staff helping to keep the Fal up to standard.

"We have a memorial bench being placed at the ground and we encourage you to take a seat and think fondly of the great little man. Our thanks go out to all the staff at Langholm for taking care of Gnome throughout his later life.

"We will pass on the details of the funeral arrangements as soon as we have them."

Stephen, known as Gnome, joined the club in the early 70s playing U16 cricket.

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Stephen was also involved with Falmouth Town Football Club and coached the Falmouth FC under 14/15 team in the early 1980s, including a young Kevin Miller who went on to play for Watford and the under 21 England squad as a goalkeeper.

Malcolm Newland, one of the club's co-directors, said: "He was involved with the club for many years.

"In 1962, when the had the famous team that played Oxford United in the FA Cup, he was actually the mascot that day believe it or not, he'd have been about five or six years old.

"So he was involved with the club from a very early age, and his father would have been one of the directors of the club in those days too.

Stephen as a youngster during his cricketing days.

"As a young lad he became the mascot for the first team for a while, back in the 60's, and then he went on to different committees over the years, then after his involvement with the cricket club he came here and was steward for several years.

"He was also very popular behind the bar and he was with us until about five or six years ago until he was taken poorly.

"He also ran the line for us, and he played a little bit of football too.

"We had a social team back in the 70's, so he played for them as well and he was also involved with the youth set up at one stage.

Stephen Young, far left, as assistant manager of Falmouth Town AFC U14s.1984.

"He was very good with the youth boys as whenever they were a man down on the line, he would take up the line or he would take up the middle as well and referee.

"He was very popular, very popular indeed, with all ages and he was also very good in the pool league, very good pool player.

"He was good with the bat and the ball, and he played a bit of darts, he did have a bit of talent, he was a bit of an all-rounder really, a genuine all-rounder."