THERE will be a bar stool empty at the Wykeham Arms in Winchester this weekend after the death of Vince Broderick.

The 90-year-old former professional cricketer was a regular at the watering hole for more than 50 years.

He started frequenting the Kingsgate Street pub in 1960 while teaching cricket at Winchester College nearby.

Earlier this year he celebrated his 90th birthday and also a half century of being a Wykeham Arms regular.

It is estimated that during those 50 years, he enjoyed nearly 4,000 pints. His favourite tipple was a Seafarer bitter shandy.

In later years, the pub gave him a free drink during his weekly visit on Sundays, along with a cheeseboard.

Jon Howard, who manages the pub, said: “It really is the end of an era.”

He added: “He was lovingly ribbed for being tight, and some of our locals said that they had drunk in his presence for 35 years in the hope of being bought a drink.

“He was provided with a free pint every week, and a cheeseboard served on a personalised board, and this is a tradition that we plan to uphold on a monthly basis in memory of the great man.”

Mr Howard added that the “Wykeham Arms family” would miss him “immensely”.

Mr Broderick, a widower and father of two and great-grandfather of four from Colden Common, died on Sunday (November 14).

He played cricket for Northamptonshire and the MCC between 1939 and 1957.

His figures of 9-35 against Sussex in 1948 are still ranked as the third best single innings bowling figures in Northamptonshire’s history.

Earlier this year, he spoke about his long-standing affection for the Wykeham Arms.

“I’ve always liked it because it’s a friendly pub — the people who come in here are so friendly and the staff have always been first rate,” he said.