Dickie Bird

Dickie Bird is a former first-class cricketer, turned international umpire. Once a footballer and coal miner, Dickie plied his playing trade for both Yorkshire and Leicestershire before taking up umpiring in the 1970s. Since retirement Bird has forged a career as an after dinner speaker and prolific cricket speaker, addressing hundreds of audiences across the nation. A knee injury stopped Dickie playing football professionally in his youth, and so he turned to his second love of cricket. He started his career in Barnsley, playing cricket on the same team as Geoff Boycott and Michael Parkinson. During his playing career, Dickie played for Yorkshire and Leicestershire where he spent time as a first-class cricket batsman. He represented Leicestershire in a total of 93 matches, predominantly playing in the County Championships. Dickie played his last game of cricket in 1964, and afterwards turned his attention to coaching and playing league cricket before becoming an umpire.

Umpiring his final game in 1998, Bird has forged a long career and a reputation as one the world’s best. Umpiring 66 test matches and 69 One Day International including three world cup finals, Bird was consistently at the top of his game. His ability to maintain his place as one of the most respected Umpires in a sport of fine margins is admirable; during a time when luxuries and aids such as ‘Hawkeye’ and Video referrals weren’t in place, the job of an Umpire was a lot more difficult than it is today, therefore his achievements within the sport should be seriously commended.

As an after-dinner speaker, Dickie delivers intriguing anecdotal tales of his time umpiring some of the most influential games of the era, along with actions sometimes not caught by the cameras. An unmistakable legend within the world of cricket, retirement has help Bird pursue further commitments, including the release of two autobiographies and the formation of a foundation which aims to help disadvantaged children achieve and fulfil their sporting potential. His prevalence within the world of cricket makes Bird a desirable after-dinner speaker and personality to have at events, with his cricket speeches being widely appreciated. An ability to encapsulate the audience and tell the tails of his career, including the infamous Centenary Test between England and Australia in 1980, help Dickie Bird deliver memorable and expressive talks as an after-dinner speaker.