It is with great sadness at Berkhamsted Cricket Club that we have learnt of the recent death of Andy Dindar, at the age of 82.

Born in Johannesburg in 1942, Andy arrived at Berkhamsted from Brighton & Hove CC, courtesy of becoming Head Groundsman at Berkhamsted School and moving into the role’s house in Chesham Road with his wife Sheila (a talented sportswoman in her own right) and their two young children.

Arriving at the Sports Ground ready to join Berkhamsted CC, he brought a First Class background having played for Gloucestershire seven times in 1962 and 1963. Andy had moved on to join the staff at Sussex for a season, also linking up with Brighton & Hove CC where he served as groundsman and then their Captain for eight years.

Berkhamsted immediately felt the benefit in 1976 as Andy announced himself with a match-winning innings against West Herts, and he was a member of that season’s Gazette Cup-winning side that defeated Kings Langley in the Final, alongside two Berkhamsted School teachers in John Davis and Richard McIlwaine.

His prolific batting soon earned him a call-up to play for Hertfordshire, alongside Berkhamsted team-mate Brian Collins, making his debut in that year’s Minor Counties Championship match against Buckinghamshire.

In the 1977 season, Andy plundered a total of 992 runs for Berkhamsted with a top score of 126, as well as 37 wickets with his off-spin and also many slip catches.

After a quieter season in 1978, he returned to full form in 1979 with a season’s aggregate of 959 runs. One highlight was the Gazette Cup Final victory against Long Marston, when Andy’s innings of exactly 100 made him the first player since Berko’s David Wilson to score a century in the Final.

During those five seasons, Andy represented Hertfordshire in 20 matches, the last of which came against Durham.

Following a move from Berkhamsted to Reading School as their Head Groundsman, he played for Reading CC and also joined Berkshire. Making his debut against Buckinghamshire yet again, he played in 28 further Minor Counties Championship matches from 1981-84 plus a single List-A match, for Berkshire against Yorkshire in the 1983 NatWest Trophy.

As well as classic drives & pulls to score the majority of his runs, the memory of Andy playing the latest of late cuts to infuriate opposition fast bowlers has endured. He was also a dedicated performer for Berkhamsted throughout a successful run in the Truman Indoor League played during the winter seasons, while always happy to pass on hints & tips to improve the prospects of a fellow player or Groundsman. Andy’s high-calibre exploits over five seasons at Berkhamsted CC are etched into the club’s averages and honours board, plus the legendary tale of him hitting a six from the Lower Kings Road pitch right across to Platform 4 of the railway station ! 

April 2025

Peter Neal

 "I was very saddened to read of Andy Dindar's death on Facebook. He was a real inspiration for me when he was the groundsman/coach at Berkhamsted School.

He was also in the Berko CC club side which I joined whilst still at school. He was responsible for me trading my Duncan Fearnley in for a SS Jumbo, which successfully stopped me from hooking it when pulling the short balls as the Fearnley was so damned heavy !

Andy took me down to Bristol for a trial with Gloucestershire CC when I was at school and introduced me to all his old friends and playing colleagues.

He was a very well respected cricketer and coach and my thoughts go to his family and friends at this sad time."

Darrell Bodimeade

 “It was very sad to hear about Andy’s death. After leaving school and starting my working life as a car mechanic, the opportunity to work outdoors became available when I joined Andy’s groundstaff at Berkhamsted School. He was such a character, injecting fun into the daily routines while also teaching me by instruction & example the skills necessary to be a good Groundsman.

I followed Andy to Reading School for a year in 1981, then returned to Berkhamsted to work with Mike Herring back at Chesham Road. That has stood me in good stead for a working life as a Groundsman in and around the town, including my current post at Tring Athletic Football Club.

My best regards to Sheila for all her support and kindness back in the 1970s.”

Brian Collins

 “So sorry to hear of your sad loss Sheila. Great guy, great cricketer, lots of fond memories with you both.”