Frederick “Dickty” Trott was a multi – talented athlete and a role model who inspired many with exceptional qualities that extended beyond sports.

Having developed a keen interest in sports from an early age, Trott earned a reputation as an outstanding winger for Wellington Rovers and as an all-rounder playing cricket for St George’s and Nationals Sports Club.

He was a member of Rovers’s victorious BFA Challenge Cup team during the 1957-58 season and represented St George’s in Cup Match from 1955 to 1971.

Trott claimed 15 wickets and grasped 12 catches in the annual classic. He also enjoyed success towards the end of a distinguished cricket career at Nationals, whom he helped guide to a maiden First Division title in 1971 in his final season.

Sadly, the well admired and respected athlete passed away on October 27 at age 84.

In the wake of his death, some of those who were inspired and had the privilege to play alongside Trott paid homage to his remarkable sports legacy.

“He came in Cup Match in 1955 a year before me,” Dennis Wainwright, the former St George’s wicketkeeper-batsman, recalled. “He developed into a very good all-rounder; a left arm spinner and an exceptional late order batsman and slip fielder.

“As a slip fielder he was second to none. He was an exceptionally good slip fielder and was so good that he used to play tricks on players like put the ball in his shirt. He had everybody think the ball is gone to the boundary. They would be looking around and he’s got the ball.”

Trott sharpened his fielding skills working out with former St George’s and Nationals team-mate, Clarence Parfitt.

“When I started to play for St George’s he helped me a lot from the times we played catch against the sightscreen,” Parfitt, Cup Match’s all-time leading wicket taker said. “That was why he was such a great slip fielder.

“Dickty was a great cricketer. A great spin bowler and friend who I played with for St George’s and Nationals Sports Club. My condolences to his family.”

While he was recognised most for his superb left-arm spin bowling and slip fielding, Trott could also hold his own as a lower order batsman.

“If you needed 40-50 runs, and he was the last batsman in the team, you can always guarantee he would get them,” Wainwright added. “For a small fellow he could hit the biggest six. He could match any of the bigger guys like Sam Paynter. When they hit a ball it would go out of sight.”

Gregory “Brutus” Foggo, the former St George’s Cup Match captain, once featured in a memorable half-century last wicket partnership with Trott.

“I batted with Dickty Trott in my first 50-plus partnership against Devonshire Recreation Club in my first season,” he recalled. “I went in last and was batting with him and put on about 50-60 runs.

“When I went in it was about 70 for nine and I had just started playing for St George’s around 1968.

“He batted down the end but he could handle the bat if he had to.”

Trott also thrived playing for Bermuda on overseas tours.

“I toured with him once,” Wainwright said. “I toured with him my first match travelling abroad with Bermuda.

“He was in that team and the people in Jamaica marvelled at his ability. He showed up in all forms; a good fielder, bowler and batsman.”

Another highlight during Trott’s cricket career was helping Nationals win a maiden league title playing alongside St George’s Cup Match team-mates Parfitt and Rupert Scotland.

“He came to play at Nationals the same year as Rupert Scotland took over as player/coach,” Barry DeCouto, the former Nationals, Devonshire and Somerset Cup Match wicketkeeper recalled. “We won the league this year, 1971.

“In our last league game we had to win the match against Hamilton Parish to win the league. Dickty took nine for 42 and caught the other batsman.”

Nationals won the match by six-runs to clinch the title.

“Dickty had a tremendous season with the ball and was recalled to St. George’s Cup Match team for the annual classic about to be played on turf for the first time (at Somerset Cricket Club),” DeCouto added. “He took the first wicket in this match, bowling Campbell Simons behind his legs, so he goes down in history having accomplished this.”

Coincidentally, Trott and Simons passed away just over a month of each other on the 50th anniversary of the historic dismissal.

Barry Sousa, the former Nationals all-rounder, described late team-mate Trott as a class act both on and off the pitch.

“Dickty was a really nice guy to play with; a gentleman on and off the field,” he said.

“I started playing cricket with Dickty 1970-71 at Nationals. When we won the league the first time in 71 Dickty took nine wickets and caught the tenth person out. I’ll never forget that.

“When he came to Nationals he wasn’t a spring chicken and he actually made Cup Match again after 13-14 years.

“He was an excellent spin bowler and slip fielder. Don’t let anything go down slips or you was gone. He could also bat so he was a complete cricketer.

“He was a really good guy to play cricket with. A really good cricketer and the type of guy anybody would want in their team.”

Another trait Trott was known for was his immaculate cricket attire complete with what would become a trademark handkerchief around his neck.

“The one aspect of his cricket career that helped me as a young cricketer was his immaculate appearance from head to toe,” DeCouto said. “This is what I admired the most as this is what encouraged me to take pride in my cricket clothing and gear.

“He would take his laces out of his shoes and wash them when cleaning his boots. These habits may appear insignificant to young cricketers today but was a huge part of my preparation for my cricket matches every time.”

Sousa added: “I travelled with him a lot and remember him and I as roommates in Edinburgh in Scotland. He would get up in the morning and clean his boots and everything had to be so neat and tidy. That’s how he got his name because he always looked nice and sharp.”

Arguably the highlight of Trott’s football career was winning the FA Cup with Wellington Rovers.

“He was a left winger and was very fast,” Wainwright, the former Wellington Rovers goalkeeper said. “If he got ahead of the defence they might as well give up and he prided himself on speed.

“As a person he was quiet and unassuming. He kept very much to himself.

“He didn’t make a big fuss but was always one of the boys. He was a team player.”