Thornton had a heart attack on the field and despite CPR attempts from players while waiting for the ambulance, he could not be revived.
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He was being remembered as a ‘‘dedicated club man’’ who put his ‘‘heart and soul into Tuggeranong’’.
The match against Ginninderra was cancelled and the first-grade team postponed its clash with Western Creek after captain Michael Wescombe told the opposition his players were not in a fit state to play.
Thornton was one of the most respected figures in the capital’s cricket community and was a former Tuggeranong president.
His sons Sam and Tom have established themselves in the Cricket ACT competition.
Sam plays for the Tuggeranong first-grade team while Tom, a former ACT Comet, made his first-class debut for South Australia last year.
Daughter Katie plays for Tuggeranong in the women’s team.
‘‘He was a strong and committed club man. He put his heart and soul into the club over the last few years,’’ Tuggeranong president Bob Weight said.
Thornton played a major role in strengthening the women’s competition and helped establish Tuggeranong as one of the strongest female clubs.
Cricket ACT chief executive Mark Vergano said Thornton was ‘‘an outstanding supporter of cricket’’.
‘‘He tried to build women’s and girls' cricket in Tuggeranong and the thing about Glenn is that he was a do-er,’’ Vergano said.
‘‘He was a great volunteer ... he was prepared to do and observe. He was an outstanding man and it’s a huge loss for his family and cricket.
‘‘He was a backbone of that era at Tuggeranong ... from Cricket ACT we send our deepest sympathy to the Thornton family.
‘‘The whole community has lost a fantastic worker.’’
Cricket ACT is considering a tribute to Thornton for the next round of games.
It has also offered off-field support to Tuggeranong players.
The news of Thornton’s passing shocked the cricket community.
Most teams and players hadn’t heard about it until they got off the field yesterday afternoon.
It hit Tuggeranong the hardest as the club came to grips with losing a stalwart.
The victory in the first-grade Twenty20 match against ANU meant little as the players and supporters remembered Thornton.
The first-grade team learned of Thornton’s heart attack while it was batting.
Sam Thornton left ANU North Oval to rush to Chisholm.
‘‘He did a lot for this club and I really don’t know what to say, I’m in shock,’’ Wescombe said.
‘‘I don’t know what to tell you ... our thoughts and prayers are with the family, the club is in shock.
‘‘Glenn was a dedicated club man who did everything he could for the club.’’
Tuggeranong finished their 20 overs at 9-136 and held ANU to 5-113 to seal a round-one victory.
The ACT Meteors - who were playing in Sydney - were also shocked when they heard the news.
Meteors coach and ACT high-performance director Andrew Dawson worked closely with Tom and Sam Thornton and spin bowler Charlotte Anneveld coached Katie Thornton.
‘‘I’ve known Glenn and his two sons for a long time, Tuggeranong and the family can be exceptionally proud of what Glenn achieved,’’ Dawson said.
‘‘It’s been a pleasure to know him. Cricket has lost big time.’’