Jeffrey Pilling Leach (16 Feb 1924 - 5 Jun 2016)

I was saddened to hear of the death of Jeff Leach. I am not able to attend the funeral, but he has been in my thoughts many times over recent days.
I first met Jeff in the mid 1960s, when I was pupil at Nottingham High School. Jeff never taught me, but I still learnt a great deal from him. I knew him as coach of the School 1st XI. His passion, dedication, encouragement, criticism and inspiration produced successful teams over almost two decades. It is a tribute to him that many boys went on achieve representative honours.
Jeff involved the parents in his plans for annual cricket tours and cricket weeks. He was amused by the attendance of various girlfriends - 'the Aviary' - at matches long before we'd ever heard of WAGS. Home matches were often followed my post match 'inquests' at a local hostelry, regularly attended by most team members and even some of the aforementioned 'Aviary'.
I subsequently became a teacher of Economic History and school cricket coach, in Dorset. I tried to model myself on Jeff and 'Jim' Sadler. My successes owed much to those two; my failings were all my own.
For his support, encouragement, guidance, wise counsel, patience, kindness, humour and friendship, I, like many others before me, will always be in his debt.
Goodbye my friend and thank you.

I had the privilege of watching Jeff teach, from the perspective of one of his students. He never gave up on a single student, not even one of his 'poltroons' such as me.

I later made my career in teaching, and he became one of my role models.

RIP, Jeff.

David Field
1957-64

I was a colleague of Jeff's from 1974 till 1992. Jeff: cricket freak; crossword wizard; called a spade a spade but much more sensitive than he liked to let on; all round good bloke.

Jeff was my House Master all the way through my time in Main School. Fair and firm guidance seemed to be his hallmark.