Glamorgan County Cricket Club has announced the death of club legend, former captain and ex chief executive Hugh Morris MBE.
Glamorgan County Cricket Club said it was deeply saddened by the passing of Hugh Morris, describing him as a hugely respected and much admired figure whose contribution to cricket in England and Wales will be fondly remembered. The club said its thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
Hugh Morris was one of the defining figures in Glamorgan’s modern history, leaving a lasting mark as a player, captain, administrator and leader. He belonged to an elite group of Glamorgan cricketers to have won the County Championship, major one day silverware and also represented England at the highest level.
Writing for the club, historian Andrew Hignell described Morris as a colossus both on and off the field, placing him among the true greats of the club alongside Johnnie Clay, Maurice Turnbull and Wilfred Wooller. He wrote that whether with bat, pen or mouse, Hugh always had Glamorgan’s best interests at heart and was dependable, courageous and always fighting for what was best for the club.
Tributes were led by Dan Cherry, who succeeded Morris as Glamorgan’s chief executive.
“Everyone here at Glamorgan County Cricket Club and further afield are devastated on hearing the awful news about Hugh. The last few years have been extremely difficult for him and his family, but we were pleased to see Hugh several times during the 2025 season here at Sophia Gardens. I know that the fact that our Men’s team won promotion to the First Division of the Rothesay County Championship, and our Women’s team began their existence by reaching the final of their 50-overs competition put a smile on Hugh’s face as he was undergoing a difficult course of treatment.
“Hugh holds a very special place in the history of Glamorgan Cricket as well as in the hearts of the Club’s supporters for his efforts, both on and off the field. He was a man of great energy and a true gentleman, whilst his achievements will live long in the Club’s record books and I doubt if any batter in any county team will ever surpass Hugh’s seasonal record of 2,276 first-class runs. As a player and administrator, Hugh led from the front and fearlessly fended off whatever thunderbolts opposing bowlers sent in his direction. He inspired us with his actions, whether with the bat in hand or leading us in the field, besides helping to save the cash-stricken Club when foreclosure seemed a possibility and finally inspiring all he met while bravely undergoing prolonged and challenging treatment.
“Hugh leaves us with an outstanding legacy, not least a Stadium here at Sophia Gardens of international calibre – a far cry indeed from the ground when he first played for Glamorgan as a teenager – plus a Welsh Fire franchise poised for even greater success in the cricketing landscape of the 2020s and beyond. The Club, Welsh cricket and the game as a whole has lost a great player, a tireless administrator, and a fine human being of great dignity and integrity.
“Our thoughts and prayers at this tragic time are with his wife Debbie, their twin daughters Bethan and Emily, plus Hugh’s many friends from across the world of sport and former colleagues throughout the cricketing world.”
As a player, Morris was a stylish and dependable opening batter who led Glamorgan to their first ever one day silverware when the club won the Sunday League title in 1993. Across a seventeen year first team career, he formed key opening partnerships with Alan Butcher and later Steve James, providing solid foundations during an era when many counties relied on international fast bowlers.
He was at the non striker’s end when Glamorgan secured the County Championship title in 1997, a match that also marked his final appearance for the club. During that game, he equalled Alan Jones’ club record of 52 centuries with a superb 165, finishing his first class career with 19,785 runs at an average of 40.29.
After retiring from playing, Morris went on to hold senior roles at the England and Wales Cricket Board, helping to establish the academy system at Loughborough University before becoming Managing Director of English Cricket. His influence was felt across the game, including the introduction of central contracts and steering England through challenging periods in the early 2000s.
He returned to Glamorgan in 2013 as chief executive and director of cricket at a time of severe financial difficulty. When he arrived, the club faced a deficit of around £17 million and the threat of liquidation. By the time he retired in December 2023, Glamorgan’s finances were stable, the club had hosted major international fixtures, secured a successful Hundred franchise and staged major events including the 2015 Ashes and the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Born in Cardiff and raised in Cowbridge, Morris came from a strong sporting background and excelled in both cricket and rugby during his youth. He captained England age group sides and became Glamorgan’s youngest ever full time captain during the 1986 season.
Away from the game, Morris showed the same resilience in his personal life. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002, he later became a patron of the Heads Up charity and raised significant funds for cancer support causes. The illness returned in 2021, and despite extensive treatment, he died on 28 December.
In 2022, his contribution to cricket and charity was recognised when he was awarded an MBE in what proved to be Her Majesty The Queen’s final Birthday Honours List.
Glamorgan County Cricket Club has confirmed that its Indoor School at Sophia Gardens will be renamed the Hugh Morris Cricket Centre, ensuring his legacy at the club he served with distinction for decades.
