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Remembering Sudbury quizmaster Mike Hazell

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sudbury Club member Mike Hazell last week. 

Mike was a popular member of our Sudbury Club, having been known for bringing his extraordinary knowledge of sport, and often being the quizmaster of all sporting tests at the weekly sessions.

Mike was known for enjoying sports, either taking part in incredible feats such as riding from John O’Groats to Land’s End to mark his 70^th birthday, he enjoyed nothing more than a cycle or playing a game of table tennis – sport was always at the heart of what Mike did.

Away from his proactive sporting nature, Mike also enjoyed watching cricket, following Essex despite being based in Suffolk, but he also had a great passion for football. His love for Bishop’s Stortford FC was deep, often being ushered to ‘his seat’ and having a parking space reserved for games at the BSFC stadium.

Mike was known for his quizzes at the Sudbury Club, and he was always conscious of wastage with his quizzes written on the inside of old envelopes! Whenever he was challenged on an answer, he would always be diligent and investigate and often asked experts that he knew.

Mike’s commitment to the Club was still strong despite being in hospital in Sheffield, where he supporting the creation of regular quizzes for Sudbury Sporting Memories.

Andy Read, Sporting Memories ambassador and Club facilitator of our Sudbury group, reflected on Mike’s passing.

“Sometimes in life you meet people who are just different, not in an odd or strange way, but truly unique and incredible – that was Mike.”

“He was a Sporting Memories man from the very start, his passion and interest for football and a wide range of sports was clear to see, and the way in which he brought that enthusiasm to the Club in Sudbury was truly remarkable.

“I shall very much miss Mike and his outstanding contribution into making the Sudbury Club the success it is today. My condolences to his friends and family at this very sad time.”