BEN JONES-LEE (49- b 29/10/1976- d 30/04/2026)
4th May 2026
BEN JONES-LEE (49- b 29/10/1976- d 30/04/2026)
4th May 2026
BEN JONES-LEE (49- b 29/10/1976- d 30/04/2026)
It is with profound sadness that we report the passing of the irrepressible Ben Jones-Lee, a lifetime member of South North, a place he regarded as his spiritual home.
A Northumberland County junior at U13, U15 & Ui7, he was invited to North of England nets in 1991 & made his senior SNCC 1st X1 debut in the same year.
He was SNCC Junior Player of the Year, captained the SN U 17 X1 scoring a century in 1994 against County Club. In 1999 he achieved a maiden 1st X1 century against Benwell.
His close friend Michael Smalley & he played together for RGS, South North, Northumberland & Manchester University. They shared a love of the game & each other’s company both on & off the field, Bon vivants both! It is a happy circumstance that their birthdays are only one ay apart, a classic right & left handed combination."
When he returned from London he played for the 2nd X1, was Player of the Day in the 2012 James Bell Memorial cup final at Eppleton scoring 54 &72 & he scored another league century in 2013 v Blaydon. It is fitting our records suggest that no one else has achieved centuries for U17, 1st & 2nd X1's. He was rightly proud of that.
Ben was an adventurous w/k bat who delighted in taking the bowling on, running hard & being inventive. His wicket keeping was athletic & fearless.
After he finished playing he gave back so much to his boyhood club. He managed & captained the 1864 3rdX1 in 2014 & played again in 2015 & 2016, encouraging young players like Cameron Skinner, who said "He was a great bloke who would do anything to help anyone, "
This generosity of spirit saw him create a hooped cap to celebrate the club's 150th Anniversary in 2014, design & produce ties for the National Club KO final in 2016 & blazers for team captains. All done with a smile & without being asked; that was Ben.
We send our heartfelt condolences to his mother Hazel, brother Rupert, sister Sarah & all his family & friends.
The SNCC flag was at half mast, words of appreciation were spoken & a minute's silence held in his honour before Saturday's game v Chester-le-Street.
RIP Ben - you were a star, your memory will live on!