News that Mr. Charles Claridge, notable sportsman and former Chairman of Rushden Urban Council, died at Hove on Monday, reached Rushden on Tuesday.

Mr. Claridge, who was 90, had lived in retirement at Hove about 17 years. He leaves a widow, a son, Mr. Philip Claridge, and a daughter, Miss Mary Claridge.

With a reputation as one of the best known sportsmen of the town, Mr. Claridge was a popular choice for chief citizen of Rushden in 1926 – four years after gaining a seat on the Council as a Conservative.

Sportsman

As a young man he was secretary of Rushden Rugby F.C. and captain of Rushden Town (Association) F.C. through the greater part of its amateur days, being a fine half-back. For several seasons he appeared in the Northamptonshire Football Association eleven, and for a long time he was secretary of the Northamptonshire F.A. He played for Rushden Town Cricket Club, was also skilled at hockey and golf, and was one of the first to play lawn tennis in the town.

At the age of 64 he played centre half in a team of football veterans at Rushden Town Ground.

Mr. Claridge was a member of Rushden St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council. He was in business with his eldest brother, the late Mr. John Claridge, as boot manufacturers, retiring about 1929.

Mr. John Claridge, who was four times Chairman of Rushden Council, died in 1921, and another brother, Mr. William Claridge, died at Northampton last year.

After leaving Rushden, Mr. Charles Claridge continued to show a deep interest in the town, and often wrote to the local Press in tribute to old sportsmen of whose deaths he had read.