Born in 1920, he was born and grew up in Triangle, attending the local school and going on to Halifax Technical College before starting work for a Halifax accountant.

He joined the Army during the war, first in the Military Police before transferring to Army Intelligence and eventually to service in the Far East.

For part of his time in Burma, Wolfenden was stationed in the country's oil fields and after the war he joined the Leeds-based British arm of the American multinational company Diamond Shamrock Chemicals. He advanced to become managing director of the British operation, retiring in 1981.

As a teenager Wolfenden had been an opening batsman with Triangle Cricket Club and he continued to play after the war, becoming captain and leading his village club to Halifax Parish Cup final success in 1953.

Later he played for Sowerby Bridge CC and then joined Central Yorkshire League club Methley CC, near Leeds, eventually becoming president.

His fervour for the game never diminished and he enthusiastically continued to write the Methley match programme which was acclaimed for its style, content and presentation.

Wolfenden, also a great lover of rugby, was a director of Halifax RLFC between 1966 and 1972 and became vice-chairman.

His wife Ruth died in 2005. They had three children Richard, Jane and Judith. Sadly, Judith died in February.

His funeral will take place at St Paul's Church, Birkenshaw next Friday (3.0).