Paul "Griz" Adams of Acle Cricket Club dies aged 61

But it was “the quick wit and humorous sharp tongue” of Paul Adams that would become legendary. 

From committee posts, to coaching and managing roles at Acle Cricket Club, his work with future generations clearly became his passion. 

Many an evening and weekend would be spent passing on his wisdom to new players. 

Paying tribute to him, son Toby Adams said: “He worked with limitless patience and enthusiasm to give youngsters from all backgrounds the chance to develop their skills and enjoy the sport he so dearly loved.” 

Mr Adams, known by many as “Griz”, was born in 1961 on December 10 at the former Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.  

He was the first-born son to Cyril and Ann Adams and lived in Potter Heigham – or “Potter Ham” as it was known locally then. He was an older brother to Matthew. 

Growing up he attended the first school before passing his 11-plus examination and earning a place at Paston Grammar school in North Walsham, where he studied until he was 16. 

By this stage, his overwhelming passion was for all things sport and leisure, firstly for fishing.  

After school, he went on to study horticulture at Easton College for three years, which led him to his first job with Norwich City Council Parks and Gardens.  

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When his time there came to a close, he developed a section of land with his father into Wroxham Garden Centre. 

This business grew substantially and then an opportunity came for him to join the core of the family firm; agricultural merchants Adams and Howling. 

Wroxham Garden Centre was eventually sold, by which time Mr Adams was a director and company secretary of the family firm. 

Away from work, he would go on to meet his future wife Jodie and moved to Acle, “throwing himself into village life since day one”. 

They married in 2003 and together had two sons; Toby (b.2001) and Finn (b.2006). 

By this time, his passion of golf was put to one side as he became and family man and fully immersed himself in Acle Cricket Club as a player and latterly as a junior coach, manager, committee member and vice chairman.  

Since his father’s death, Toby has set up a Just Giving page to help raise money for equipment to help continue junior cricket coaching at the club. 

His brother-in-law, Ian Perry, said: “This was a cause that [he] was truly passionate about and dedicated hundreds of hours to ensuring continued development for the youngsters, hopefully into senior cricket.  

"His quick wit and humorous sharp tongue were a thing of legend and most of us have been on the receiving end of Griz’s mickey taking.” 

His son, Finn, added: “Dad was a man who loved his sport, from fishing to golf, to darts, to football and cricket. 

“We’ll never be able to replace his honesty and want for us to do well, whether that be in college for me, work for Toby, and sports for the both of us.  

“We’ll both miss the nods of approval after a good performance and the post-match de-briefs in the lounge with his glass of red and the dogs curled up next to him.” 

Acle Cricket Club also paid tribute with a statement posted on its social media pages. 

It said: “A prolific cricketer throughout his career. 

“He worked with limitless patience and enthusiasm to give youngsters from all backgrounds the chance to develop their skills and enjoy the sport he so dearly loved 

"The epitome of the word clubman.” 

Paul Stephen Adams died on October 19 aged 61 at the N&N. His funeral took place at St Faiths Crematorium on November 10. 

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