Since 1965
Since 1965
It is with deep regret that we advise that Alan Manzie, First Grade player #52, passed away unexpectedly aged 75 on 21 January. He is believed to have suffered a heart attack two days after undergoing an operation on his back. Alan had lived in Canada since leaving Australia to pursue a post-graduate degree in 1975, firstly in Edmonton and then Vancouver. He joined Sutherland in 1968-69 after finishing school, starting in 4ths and ending the season in 2nds, playing in the final. Across 2nds, 3rds & 4ths in that first season, he took 29 wickets at 16.2 in 9 matches. The 4th Grade report said “Slow leg-break bowler Alan Manzie was another who showed sufficient ability to warrant quick promotion”, while the 3rd Grade report said he “revealed potential as a leg-spinner”.
In 1969-70, he took 39 wickets at 12.1 in 8 matches in 3rds, topping both the aggregates and averages and earning promotion to 2nds. He finished the season with a total of 53 wickets at 17.1. In 1970-71, he played the full season in 2nds, taking 41 wickets at 16.8 in 13 matches. The annual report said that he “showed considerable improvement over the previous season”. After starting 1971-72 in 2nds, taking 13 wickets at 21.8, he made his 1st Grade debut on 20.11.71 and finished with 10 wickets at 40.7 in 10 matches. The 1st Grade report commented that he was “too expensive and needed to tighten his game”. The following season, he moved to Sydney University where he played for three seasons before heading overseas. In all grades for Sutherland, he played 60 matches and took 154 wickets at an average of 19.0. In 2nds, he took 76 wickets at 19.8 and in 3rds, he took 45 wickets at 13.7. During his time with Uni, he played a couple of minor representative matches for Sydney Metropolitan Colts and Sydney Metropolitan. Among his teammates in both matches was future Sutherland wicket-keeper Steve Rixon.
We extend our sincere condolences to Alan’s family in Canada and to his brother Jim, who played 4 matches in 5ths in 1971-72 before his musical career took priority as a member of Ol’55 and later a very successful career as a movie soundtrack composer in Hollywood.
