David Colley
Yorkshire has lost one of its most respected and longest serving tournament players. The death on 15th January 2013 of David Colley at his home in Beverley has brought to an end a remarkable bridge playing career which began when he first represented the county in the 1952/3 season.
David was taught to play bridge in Hull in the late 1940’s by his father, John, who was himself one of Yorkshire’s leading players of that era. They regularly played together in the annual ‘Roses’ match against Lancashire until 1961 when David formed a partnership with the late Eric Pudsey and they continued to represent the county until 1977.
David, by this time, had already formed another partnership with Andrew Petrie and this continued for many years during which time they played regularly for Yorkshire in the Tollemache trophy, reaching the final on a number of occasions.
Due to ill-health, David played his last match in the Yorkshire League in November, 2011. He had played for Hull continuously for 60 years – a remarkable achievement.
He played regularly at Hull bridge club right up to the end, winning a duplicate session with his friend, David Wilson, less than a week before his death.
David will, I know, be remembered affectionately by all who knew him and we are very grateful for his major contribution to the bridge scene in Yorkshire over such a long period of time. Philip Mason.
