The death of David Lockyer after a brave battle with illness has deprived Eastbourne of one of its best-loved sporting personalities, who had shown outstanding abilities and achievements on and off the field; known as “Locko” to many, he was a stalwart of the local sporting scene for more than 50 years.

It was on the cricket field that David showed his outstanding abilities as a fine left-arm fast bowler and an accomplished middle order batsman. Former Eastbourne cricketer Tim Firth, a close friend since their days at Eastbourne Grammar School, said “David was so reliable in everything he did. He was an excellent skipper and his calmness was never to be confused with his supreme competitiveness. Every cricketer wanted to play for him and always respected his leadership.” Tim Firth added “he had time for everyone, young and old”.

David’s sporting talents first became evident and were nurtured at Eastbourne Grammar School in the 1960s. A regular in age-group teams throughout his time at the School, he won first team places at cricket, rugby and football. However, few could have imagined at that time the sporting mountains that he was set to climb or the impact that he would have.

David’s association with The Saffrons started when he was a junior member of Eastbourne CC from 1967-69. On leaving school he studied engineering at university and afterwards lived away from the town but returned and re-joined Eastbourne CC in 1978. A member for the rest of his life, David held pretty much every position on the club committee at one time or another. He played for Eastbourne CC until 1987 and was captain from 1983, stepping down after the team won the Sussex League title, and also managed winning and losing teams in national finals at Lords.

When his cricket-playing days ended, David took up golf, becoming a stalwart at the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club which he joined in 1987. He was manager of the Club from 2003 till 2014 and Captain in 2018, and coached many younger members,

Chairman of the Saffrons Sports Club from 2007-2020, David helped the Club navigate through some challenging financial times. His involvement also led to frictions which emerged between the cricket, football and hockey sections being amiably resolved, facilitated by his ability to see both sides of every story. Roger Mayall, his successor as chairman, paid this tribute: “The term legend is used far too frequently but, in terms of the local community and sport, David was a legend. He was an incredibly important figure to many people and played a very big part for a lot of members growing up in the Club both in terms of sport and as humans. He was never the sort of guy who told you how to do things but suggested things to consider. David was a true leader; he was somebody that people wanted to lead because they trusted him. Everybody who came across him had huge respect for him.”

For many years, David was the owner of the local electrical contractors, Buckman and Hayward; he sold the business in 2001. He also found time to be a magistrate, being a respected member of the Eastbourne Bench from 2003 until 2019 and he regularly submitted cricket and golf reports to the Eastbourne Herald, always to the high standard he set himself.

In 2002 David suffered a great personal tragedy when his son Luke, who was training as an RAF pilot, was killed in a motor-cycle accident. However, he bravely maintained his devotion to the Eastbourne sporting scene, both at REGC and The Saffrons.

All in all, David’s life was a truly wonderful and supremely well-played innings. He will be greatly missed. David is survived by his wife Stella, son Adam and grandchildren Kain and Luis.

David’s funeral was held at St Mary’s Church in Old Town on 7th March, with hundreds in the congregation, including a good representation of Old Grammarians. EOGA members involved in the service were Rev’d Tony Windross was the celebrant and James Hazelden was in the choir. Very appropriately, David’s coffin was taken from the church through a guard honour of members of Eastbourne CC and the Royal Eastbourne GC respectively holding cricket bats and golf clubs aloft.