GOOGLIES & CHINAMEN
An Occasional Cricketing Journal
Edition 122
February 2013
Don Wallis
1966
2008
Don was old school. He called most people by their surname and his humour was basic dressing room or barrack, and he was rude. Yes, quite staggeringly rude at times. In fact I haven’t found anyone to disagree with the contention that he was the rudest person they have ever met. In the sixties women loathed him and even the toughest characters were bruised by his onslaughts. Yet somehow he got away with it. Perhaps it was because he was never known to regret or apologise for his outbursts.
He also managed to mix contrasting acts of meanness and kindness quite unpredictably. He smoked Piccadilly cigarettes and was the only non schoolboy I have encountered who purchased them in packets of ten. Later he didn’t bother to buy them at all and just smoked Bob Cozens’. After blanking Terry Cordaroy when he was elevated to the first eleven he became his lift provider for several seasons. Helen Nienow recounts how she was horrified when Alvin arranged for Don Wallis to provide her and her baby daughter with a lift to Maidenhead only to be amazed with his politeness and courtesy on the occasion. Later Bob Cozens and Allen Bruton would be his personally appointed chauffeurs, the latter being regaled with the same stories every year on the way back from the club dinner.
I first encountered him in 1963 when he was thirty and probably past his best as a quick bowler. It is only recently that I discovered quite how many wickets he had taken in the fifties. In the sixties he became the less potent partner in the famous Hart and Wallis opening attack. However, he was reliably accurate and bowled a back of the length style which was most effective when the wicket did a bit. He was almost unplayable on a drying surface at Hounslow in 1968 when he took 7 for 11.
He was brought up in the South Hampstead tradition of hating to lose and once all hope of winning a match had evaporated he would use his limited batting skills to great effect to avoid defeat. He batted for ninety minutes for 0 not out at Edmonton on one such occasion.
I have written in Googlies before about his taking up the first eleven captaincy of the Sunday side and turning it from a relatively shambolic bunch to a team that would enjoy a three year plus unbeaten run. In 1975 he underwent major emergency surgery on his stomach and although he turned out occasionally afterwards never played regularly again.
In 1968 he had married Beryl who had a major effect on him. He was devoted to her and she was the one person whose opinion he was known to defer to and through the seventies he would start many a sagely saying in the dressing room with “Beryl says...”. When she died a few years ago he was devastated and his health deteriorated from that point.
In the late seventies he became Chairman of South Hampstead CC and then succeeded Ken Fletcher as President some thirty years later. When he died he had been a member of the club for over sixty years.
There were over a hundred mourners on a very cold Ruislip day at his funeral and in addition to South Hampstead members from different generations there were also a number of representatives of other clubs in attendance.
John Williams sent me this
In early 70's I worked in City and lived in Northwood. Occasionally I
would go to Moor Park to get a fast train and there invariably on the
platform would be this dapper gent in a pinstripe suit, rolled umbrella
and bowler hat - Wallis! There was also the most wonderful boozer in
Queen Victoria Street - The Green Man - which would always be packed at
lunchtime and who would I often see in there - the man from The Royal -
Wallis!
On another occasion I had been to racing at Ascot one day and had popped into Denham village for a snifter. When I exited the pub I noticed a familiar profile in the window of the Italian restaurant opposite. I tapped on the window to say hello but as I did so noticed a rather disgruntled spouse. I hastened away only to hear a shout from behind me. I feared the worst - a Wallis bollocking. Instead he invited me to be his guest at the SH dinner. What a gent!
Bob Fisher sent me this
So sorry to learn about the passing of Don, the end of another era, Wallis and Hart! I met Don a few times socially after he had retired from playing at Northwood Golf Club where I believe he was a member and he always had something to say, normally sarcastic but never meant to offend, just his way of keeping up with his ‘hard man’ image. May he rest in peace.
Steve Thompson sent me this
I thought about Don a lot today. I couldn't get his 'long barrier' at mid-off out of my mind. That and the time Alf and I were both out by 11.40 on a Sunday morning to Arthur Gates after a particularly heavy night before. I think his precise words were: “Don't you ever fucking do that again.”
One my fondest memories will be of him playing Sinatra songs with and for Colin Price at Kewferry Road after another unbeaten Sunday. I think Len the Scorer was the one person who really got his measure. Don didn't ever seem to know what to make of him which was wonderful.
Colin Nash
I have many memories of Don, a fierce opponent and central character in those memorable years which was so special between SHCC and Hornsey CC. I actually got on very well with Don, and enjoyed his company and banter. This continued until recent years with regular meet ups at Lord's Tests.
David Bloomfield
I was sad to hear of the passing of Don. In addition to his great quality as an
opening bowler and renown in partnership with Bill he was quite a character
and certainly made an impression on everyone who came in contact with him. He was a great servant to South Hampstead.
Colin Price
I enjoyed Don because I think beneath the gruff exterior there was character and a loyalty demonstrated by his service to South Hampstead both as a player and administrator. I suspect that after Beryl died, his will to carry on may have diminished as I have no doubt he was devoted to her. Life was never dull with Wallis about (or Wal as Beryl used to call him) and I was very pleased to be able to show them around Sydney and enjoy an evening at the Opera House with them some years ago. I’m not sure if Don was actually into opera but Beryl enjoyed the night and the building is worth going to if nothing else.
Out and About with the Professor
The Professor is back from the sun and heat and is almost a Yorkshireman these days
In January 1863, a number of Sheffield “gentlemen” met at the Adelphi Hotel and decided to form a cricket club. And not just any old cricket club…Yorkshire County Cricket Club. That makes 2013 the Sesquicentennial (no less) year and an opportunity – not to be missed - to celebrate “the most successful county cricket team… ever”. The gentlemen, having resolved on the formation of the club, first decided on the subs (it is Yorkshire) which were set at 10/6d and then formed a sub-committee, thus simultaneously founding the most quarrelsome administration in county cricket…ever.
Sadly the Adelphi has gone the way of the founders but on the site now stands the Crucible Theatre, rather more famous for another sport, if that is how snooker could be described, but an excellent venue for a rather bigger gathering.
So, on exactly the same day, at the same spot, 150 years’ later, some 400 or so gentlemen and ladies (…and myself) all gathered to commemorate the great event…and a very good do it was too. The event was “hosted” by a local TV man and featured readings and recollections and appearances from Yorkshire stars past and present and some modest (Yorkshire again remember) refreshments.
Stephen Chalke recounted Appleyard’s and Hirst’s feat of 200 wickets in a season (Hirst getting 2,000 runs as well, of course) and there was a moving account of Yorkshire’s last match before WW2 (and thus Verity’s last match) against Sussex – it seemed that there was some doubt as to whether the match should take place but the Yorkshire Captain, Sellers, had not been told to cancel and wanted the game to be played because it was Jim Parks’ benefit. In the event Verity bowled out Sussex in the second innings for 33, he taking 7 for 9 in 6 overs. It is well-known that Verity died of his wounds in an Italian hospital in 1943.
There was a wealth of detail of this sort and I kept feeling –metaphorically – the hot breath of the Association of Cricket Statisticians over my shoulder, offering corrections to the various narratives. Actually, there was one correction from the audience. Our President, Sir Geoffrey, was musing on the best captain he had ever played for - Brian Close - (not Ray Illingworth for obvious reasons) and he said that Close had made him into an opening batsman. Boycott’s story was that he was reasonably new to the side and batting at 5 or 6 (“Bet you crashed around in’t middle order Geoff”…that was Michael Vaughan, to much general amusement…especially Vaughan’s) but then on the eve of a county game at Scarborough, Close took him to one side and said:
“I’d like you to open, Geoff”.
“No thanks skipper, I’m happy at number 6”.
“OK, please yourself, but its opening or 12th man”.
The intervention came from Close himself who was sitting in the front row of the audience:
“Thee’s wrong there Geoff”.
Silence….
…“It weren’t Scarborough…it were Bramall Lane”.
They were still arguing about it at the end of the evening (Where is the ACS when you need them?).
There was a deal more reminiscing, as well as an opportunity for our President to give some of his famously forthright opinions: Mike Denness – “wouldn’t let ‘im look after me cats let alone captain a cricket team”; current Australian batting line up – “me mother could ‘a bowled them out”; Imran Khan – “great captain…anyone who can captain that lot deserves a medal…’e put a stop to t’ betting an’ match fixin’ in ‘is first game – he walked into changin’ room and said “Right you lot, I’ve put all yer wages with the bookies on a Pakistan win. If we lose, yer get nowt.” Stopped it there an’ then…and Pakistan won the Test”. Boycott said he regretted taking the Yorkshire captaincy when he did – which brought a few wry smirks around the room – his principal reason seemed to be that he didn’t have a very good team: “Although they were a great bunch o’ lads”. Graham Stevenson was a particular favourite because, he was given, it seems, licence to take the micky out of the great man. He once called for Boycott, who was still living with his mother, and she took some time to open the door:
“I ‘ope you wont mind me sayin’ this Mrs B, but you move a bit slow for someone whats taken all those wickets and scored all those runs that Geoff keeps talkin’ about.”
There are more celebrations to come and should Yorkshire win the Championship this year that might be the biggest of all.
Stephens Matters
Eric Stephens was also at this Sesquicentennial Soiree
Yorkshire County Cricket Club celebrated its 150th Birthday on January 8th at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. It was on this date in 1863 that a group of enthusiasts met and formed the County Club in this building, which was then the Adelphi Hotel. All 411 seats were sold out and the partisan audience warmed to readings about great moments in the Club’s history from Stephen Chalke and David Warner; about the present from Stephen Patterson and about the future from Ben Coad from the County Academy.
There was then a Q & A session hosted by Harry Gration with President Boycott, Captain Gale and Board Member Vaughan. The President in particular was his usual straightforward self, but these days he is (almost) nice about it, and has developed a full sense of humour. He, more than anyone else on the evening, entertained the audience. The evening was organised by Rachael Boycott and was one of the most enjoyable events this writer has attended. It would be nice if the 150th year ends with another county championship.
Eric also presided over a presentation to Phil Sharpe
On June 1st the fielding record of Philip Sharpe in 1962 was remembered.
On behalf of the County Supporters Association, Eric Stephens started the presentation by saying that Philip is one of the few cricketers best known for his fielding. Most are remembered as batsmen or bowlers. But he added that Philip had a test average of 46.23, and only 4 Tykes have ever done better. Also in 1962, Philip scored 2201 runs, and since then only on 2 occasions have Yorkshiremen reached 2000 runs in a season. Eric concluded by recounting a story told by Mel Ryan at a Sheffield Dinner in 2009 at which the 1959 side were Guests of Honour. “We were t’best fielding side around” said Mel. “We only had one problem...we had to hide Sharpey at slip ‘cos he couldn’t field reit”.
Whether the tale is true or exaggerated is not relevant. Philip Sharpe was possibly the best slip fielder of all time, and certainly in the top half dozen. In 1962 he broke a 61 year old record held by John Tunnicliffe for the number of catches in a season by an outfielder. He held 71 catches, beating the long standing record by a single catch. It is a record never likely to be beaten.
Joan Fort, Phil Sharpe and Eric Stephens
Eric then invited Joan Fort, a long standing member of the Supporters Association, to present Philip with the award for this achievement; a framed list detailing all of the 71 catches taken.
In response, Philip was clearly delighted with the award and thanked the Supporters Association for its thought and generosity. He did, however, question the veracity of the Ryan story, remarking that he had a terrifying power throw from gully! A wonderful occasion for a truly great Yorkshire servant.
And he was also in attendance at Don Wilson’s Memorial Service
I was fortunate enough to attend the Memorial service for Don Wilson on September 19th. In a moving and yet factual ceremony, many paid tribute to Don the Man, the Player, the Coach, the Entertainer and the Organiser. The first tribute described Don as a ‘bloody good bloke’. No prizes for guessing the nationality! It was from Ian Chappel. Apparently during the 1970-1 tour of Australia, when Don learned to carry drinks for the Tests, he, Chappeli, Rod Marsh and the new replacement fast bowler Willis talked for hours about cricket after the game each evening, accompanied by much amber nectar. Another tribute was from Dr. Ali Bacher, who recounted how Don, along with Philip Hodgson and Dickie Bird came out to South Africa in the late 60’s to coach the boys in the black townships. Around 2000 turned up at the first session (only a few were expected). No problem to Don: he had all of them involved within half an hour. Don’s great friend Philip Sharpe gave his own tribute; he and Don were the Team’s great entertainers and could give their own Black and White Minstrel performance (possibly after more amber nectar). Isn’t political incorrectness great? Philip Hodgson, then President of MCC, also paid tribute and recounted Don’s popularity as MCC Head Coach for many years.
All the tributes told of his enthusiasm, his devotion to the game, his love of life. In his last years, Don needed mobility aids. His son Toby needed to drive him around. A sad way for a great athlete to finish.
On a personal note: I was first introduced to Don in 2005 at the Scarborough Festival at a fund raising opener for the Dickie Bird Foundation. Together with 2 friends, Don entertained us with his tales and views on the game. I gave Don a picture of him with the 1959 team at a table in 2009 and his response was overwhelming. I shall always keep it. I was due to go and take him out to lunch at the end of the last season. Sadly, now a forever missing memory. What a man.
Match Reports
The Great Jack Morgan sent me two more reports from his archives
John Warr won the toss and chose to bat first on a good wicket in the Championship match against Leicestershire at Lord's on June 1, 2 and 3 1960, when a scorecard cost four old pence, less than 2p. Middlesex made a useful 319 in their first innings, but it was an uneven effort. Eric Russell hit a typically cultured 86 and Ron Hooker, batting at 4 and bowling only two overs in the match, supported him well with 44 in a stand of 102 for the third wicket, but still Middlesex slumped to 170 for 6. Fortunately, Fred Titmus with 78 and John Murray (68), batting at no 8, put on 135 for the seventh wicket, before another collapse saw the lads all out for 319, with no other batsman making more than 7. The damage had been done by the spin pair of Lancastrian off spinner Jack Savage (3 for 90) and the slow left armer from Yorkshire Bernard Cromack (6 for 48). Savage was a class act and a seasoned pro, but Cromack was almost unheard of (only two wickets in his career before this match) and his performance was totally unexpected. Keeper Ray Julian claimed three victims, all off Cromack.
When Leicestershire batted they were soon in trouble against the Middlesex pace attack at 22 for 4 and never really recovered. Seam bowler Terry Spencer, batting at 8, made the top score (38) for the visitors and Yorkshireman Jack van Geloven (32) was the only other batsman to make more than 23. The credit went to Don Bennett (4 for 33), Alan Moss (3 for 22) and captain Warr (3 for 25) as Leics were all out for 157 and followed on 162 behind. This time, however, experienced openers Maurice Hallam and skipper Willie Watson (one of the few players to have represented England at both cricket and football and yet another Yorkshireman) gave Leics a much better start. Hallam, in particular, was in terrific form and Middlesex used four spinners (off spinners Fred Titmus and Peter Parfitt, leg spinner Bob Gale and slow left armer Bob Hurst) in an attempt to dislodge the pair. Eventually, Warr got rid of Hallam for a magnificent 121 (with 22 fours) out of an opening stand of 196 in less than two and a half hours. Three more wickets fell before the close of day two, but at 201 for 4, with Watson still there, prospects looked good for an interesting final day. However, England fast bowler Moss had other ideas as he bowled Watson for an adhesive 61 and finished with the outstanding figures of 17-5-23-6 (including 5 for 6 on the third morning) as Leicestershire plummeted to 214 all out. Russell and Gale knocked off the 53 needed for victory without loss and the game was all over before lunch on day three. This was something of a disappointment for the schoolboys in the crowd, but I contented myself with the thought that I had been present at a Middlesex victory for the very first time. Middlesex, who took 12 points from this match, were enjoying a good season and twice topped the Championship table in May and June. Eventually, they finished third behind champions Yorkshire and only 0.04 of a point behind runners up Lancashire; it was their best season since sharing the Championship with Yorkshire in 1949. Eric Russell was the top Middlesex batsman of the 1960 season with 1,895 runs and just behind him in the averages were Gale, Syd Russell, Titmus and Parfitt, who all exceeded 1,000 runs, though some of the averages look ordinary by today's standards.
Moss was the top bowler with 118 wickets and Titmus was close behind on 117; Warr, in his final season, was third with 66 and their averages look very impressive compared to modern day figures. Murray took 99 victims behind the stumps and Parfitt snapped up 48 catches, nearly all in close catching positions. Leicestershire were destined to finish bottom of the table in 1960. Middlesex were third again in 1961, but that was their highest finishing position until they clinched their next title in 1976.
Worcestershire captain Phil Neale won the toss on September 11 1982 and chose to bat first in the final Championship match of the season at the County Ground, New Road. However, Middlesex needed only four points to seal the Championship Trophy and their seam bowling quintet of Wayne Daniel, Norman Cowans, Simon Hughes, Wilf Slack and Mike Gatting soon put them in control at 67 for 5. The main resistance came from Kenyan Dipak Patel (later to play Test cricket for New Zealand) with 44 and keeper David Humphries (56), but Middlesex acquired their fourth bowling point at 2.52pm when Alan Warner was caught in front of me at deep mid off by Daniel off the bowling of John Emburey and so claimed the title. Worcestershire were soon all out for 168 (Emburey 3-18, Cowans 3-50) and skipper Mike Brearley and opening partner Slack got Middlesex off to a sound start with a partnership of 50. However, medium paced trundler Martin Weston, who had taken three expensive wickets in the whole season, soon had three more and the visitors were 62 for 3. Fine batting from Gatting (61) and Roland Butcher (94) put Middlesex back in charge and they finished day one with a lead of 53 with five wickets still standing. The second morning was dominated by Phil Edmonds, batting at 8, who thoroughly enjoyed hitting 92 in good time to take Middlesex to 382 all out and a lead of 214. Seventeen year old Barbadian debutant Ricky Ellcock, later to join Middlesex, picked up three wickets at the end while Weston had 3 for 42. When Worcestershire batted again, ex-Middlesex 2s opener Mark Scott, from Muswell Hill, shared a staunch third wicket stand of 68 with skipper Neale before he fell for 37 and Neale departed soon after for a laudable 50. The best knock of the Worcestershire second innings, however, came from Weston, who had been having nearly as poor a season with the bat as he had with the ball, but now he showed his true potential with a fighting innings of 64. Getting some assistance from the tail, he managed to take the total up to 263 all out but this left Middlesex only 50 to win and nearly a day to get them. The Middlesex seamers had done the damage with Gatting taking 4 for 43 and Hughes 3 for 59. Brearley and Slack enjoyed their second half century partnership of the match, this time unbroken, as Middlesex strolled to victory by ten wickets. If Brearley was the dominant partner in the first innings, then Slack took control in the second, but it was fitting that the captain, in his final innings for the club, should have the honour of hitting the winning runs and collecting the Championship silverware. Middlesex 24 points Worcestershire 5 and Middlesex topped the table by 39 points over runners up Leicestershire. The most successful batsmen for Middlesex in the Championship in 1982 were Gatting (average 67), Brearley, Butcher and Slack who all made more than 1,000 runs, while Emburey also batted very well lower in the order. The main bowlers were Daniel, Edmonds and Emburey who all took over 70 wickets at very good averages, while some who had fewer opportunities like Cowans (because of injury), Hughes (because of his finals), Gatting and Slack (because they were mainly batsmen and Gatt was also absent with England) also took good wickets cheaply when they were called upon. In fact, Gatt was not only top of both the batting and bowling averages for Middlesex, but was also the top England qualified player in the national averages for both batting and bowling.
Carlin Matters
Paddy has been down under. He sent me this
The undoubted sporting highlight of my three week holiday in Sydney was attendance on the Friday of the SCG Sri Lanka test. There is ongoing redevelopment of them ground similar to that at Edgbaston but fortunately the green roofed members stand and Ladies Pavilion remain intact. It is difficult to understand the economics of this rebuilding and enlarging process because exactly the same thing is happening to the once lovely Adelaide ground. These grounds are only really full for the first three days and possibly the ODIs in Ashes series. Attendances at Big Bash are seriously down and the Sheffield Shield is sparsely attended. There can be no possibility of a rapid or even eventual break even unless the whole thing is financed by government. It also ruins the character of the ground.
On day one there had been tributes to Tony Greig and Mike Hussey and on our day the designated tribute was for Glen McGrath’s Breast Cancer Charity. We were all given a pink bandana to wear. I attended as a guest of Shaun McLagan along with his dad, Mike, and wife, Sal. We were treated to behind the scenes hosting by Channel 9 and access to the Executive Box. We went into the commentary box where Messrs Lawry, Taylor and Chappell were doing their stuff and then sat in pink blazers in the interview room. The Executive Box, the complimentary food and drink beckoned and and thankfully we could watch the match from lower down. Highlights for me included getting Steve Waugh’s autograph for my grandson and telling the former Prime Minister, John Howard, what a wonderful country Australia was.
The series had been dreadfully one sided and Mitchell Johnson had injured three of them so badly at Melbourne that they had been unable to bat in their second innings. However, they managed nearly 300 and we got to see Australia bat although most of it I must confess was through a bit of a haze. But I saw both Clarke and Warner get out to ugly slogs and the former run out Hussey. Hughes made 80 odd but it was not enjoyable.
There is something wrong with the balance of this Aussie side. Five of the top six are left handers and Johnson is too. Swann will love this. Wade is an aggressive bat but a poor keeper. There are no capable spinners. There has been some talk of Shane Warne returning as the Aussie spinner but it’s not a tough choice between whether to share a room on tour with a fellow cricketer or bed down for the night with Elizabeth Hurley. Watson can’t score a run at present and has been told to stop bowling on medical grounds. They do have some useful looking quicks: Starc, Bird, Siddle, Pattinson, Cummins, Johnson, Copeland, Bollinger, Hilfenhaus and Cutting. If they can find a better keeper, a couple of right handed batsmen and the pace men don’t get injured the Ashes series could be close in England and very difficult in Australia.
Pedantry Matters
I received the following from Chris Overson whose tongue seems to be wedged firmly in his cheek
In Googlies & Chinamen 121 the Professor wrote about the ACS and concluded that 'We must never, never let Googlies fall into the hands of cricketing pedants...'. I agree entirely. However, I would just like to point out that the word 'Netherland' was used in the title of the article, whilst the final paragraph refers to 'netherworld'. Also, in the penultimate paragraph 'it's entirety' should of course read 'its entirety', and in the same sentence the right hand quotation marks have unfortunately been omitted. I also wonder whether the title 'Googlies & Chinamen' of your excellent journal needs to be clarified since some Australians refer to the chinaman as a googly. Perhaps you could add a snappy explanatory bracket or footnote to the title. Chris Overson (no hyphen, one decimal place).
Rangers Matters
George sent me this
I bought Pauline Danny Baker’s autobiography as a stocking filler. She read it before the New Year and I’m now reading it. It’s not Proust but it is quite entertaining. DB’s dad Spud was a heavyweight docker of the time and a lifelong Millwall supporter, renowned for getting thrown out of grounds as DB notes, “…most vividly to me, during a 6-1 defeat at Loftus Road”. This brought back the day in sepia and blue. Alec Stock, that great lower division manager had just signed Rodney Marsh from Fulham for about £15,000. Rangers were in the 3rd division, behind Millwall in the league and just about challenging them for promotion.
It had been a heady year for Rangers supporters, though a great deal more would come in the next couple of years before the bubble burst. Jim and I took one of Wynne’s old sheets and some blue paint from Eric’s shed and made a banner with ‘EASY’ written on it. When we got to the ground we could get nowhere near the normal place (Ellerslie Road, sloping end, two thirds of the way down the slope to the right of the goal as you look from the terrace, two thirds of the way to the back). So we were stranded in alien territory in a densely packed ground. I remember Rodney scoring early on and Jim and I raising the banner. “Put that fucking thing down” came the command from behind us in an East End accent. I remember that we obeyed and stood uncomfortably for the rest of the match as Rodney and co. laid Millwall to waste.
The only official history of the match I can find is as follows:
“The last weekend in March Millwall were at Loftus Road, where new signing Rodney Marsh scored his first-ever goal for Rangers after just three minutes and sent Q.P.R. on their way to a 6-1 victory. The game was continually held up by celebratory pitch invasions by Rangers fans. The Tannoy announcer was instructed to broadcast by Match officials that the game would be abandoned if there were any more pitch invasions. Being 6-1 down to their nearest pursuers in the promotion race it was too good an invitation to Millwall fans who poured onto the pitch and sat down. With the police and QPR Officials at a lost of how get the game restarted, Millwall Manager Billy Gray took the microphone and appealed to the Millwall fans to acknowledge that Rangers were the better team on the day, but it would be Millwall's year for promotion. It worked as the Millwall fans returned to the Terraces and the final few minutes were played out.”
Proctor Matters
Ken Smale asked me to mention the following
Bob's widow, Eileen, is visiting Europe next year and would like to scatter some of Bob's ashes on the grounds of Brentham Cricket Club. We are arranging a brief ceremony at 1pm on Sunday April 21 at Brentham, to be followed by a light buffet and use of the bar. Anyone who'd like to come along would be very welcome and it would be good if they could contact Ken so that he can get a rough idea of numbers.
Haywood and Gates Matters
Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Lionel Haywood for a full and speedy recovery from his recent surgery.
I hear that Arthur Gates is undergoing chemotherapy yet again. Our best wishes go to him to get through this episode.
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An Occasional Cricketing Journal
Edition 122
February 2013
Don Wallis
1966
2008
Don was old school. He called most people by their surname and his humour was basic dressing room or barrack, and he was rude. Yes, quite staggeringly rude at times. In fact I haven’t found anyone to disagree with the contention that he was the rudest person they have ever met. In the sixties women loathed him and even the toughest characters were bruised by his onslaughts. Yet somehow he got away with it. Perhaps it was because he was never known to regret or apologise for his outbursts.
He also managed to mix contrasting acts of meanness and kindness quite unpredictably. He smoked Piccadilly cigarettes and was the only non schoolboy I have encountered who purchased them in packets of ten. Later he didn’t bother to buy them at all and just smoked Bob Cozens’. After blanking Terry Cordaroy when he was elevated to the first eleven he became his lift provider for several seasons. Helen Nienow recounts how she was horrified when Alvin arranged for Don Wallis to provide her and her baby daughter with a lift to Maidenhead only to be amazed with his politeness and courtesy on the occasion. Later Bob Cozens and Allen Bruton would be his personally appointed chauffeurs, the latter being regaled with the same stories every year on the way back from the club dinner.
I first encountered him in 1963 when he was thirty and probably past his best as a quick bowler. It is only recently that I discovered quite how many wickets he had taken in the fifties. In the sixties he became the less potent partner in the famous Hart and Wallis opening attack. However, he was reliably accurate and bowled a back of the length style which was most effective when the wicket did a bit. He was almost unplayable on a drying surface at Hounslow in 1968 when he took 7 for 11.
He was brought up in the South Hampstead tradition of hating to lose and once all hope of winning a match had evaporated he would use his limited batting skills to great effect to avoid defeat. He batted for ninety minutes for 0 not out at Edmonton on one such occasion.
I have written in Googlies before about his taking up the first eleven captaincy of the Sunday side and turning it from a relatively shambolic bunch to a team that would enjoy a three year plus unbeaten run. In 1975 he underwent major emergency surgery on his stomach and although he turned out occasionally afterwards never played regularly again.
In 1968 he had married Beryl who had a major effect on him. He was devoted to her and she was the one person whose opinion he was known to defer to and through the seventies he would start many a sagely saying in the dressing room with “Beryl says...”. When she died a few years ago he was devastated and his health deteriorated from that point.
In the late seventies he became Chairman of South Hampstead CC and then succeeded Ken Fletcher as President some thirty years later. When he died he had been a member of the club for over sixty years.
There were over a hundred mourners on a very cold Ruislip day at his funeral and in addition to South Hampstead members from different generations there were also a number of representatives of other clubs in attendance.
John Williams sent me this
In early 70's I worked in City and lived in Northwood. Occasionally I
would go to Moor Park to get a fast train and there invariably on the
platform would be this dapper gent in a pinstripe suit, rolled umbrella
and bowler hat - Wallis! There was also the most wonderful boozer in
Queen Victoria Street - The Green Man - which would always be packed at
lunchtime and who would I often see in there - the man from The Royal -
Wallis!
On another occasion I had been to racing at Ascot one day and had popped into Denham village for a snifter. When I exited the pub I noticed a familiar profile in the window of the Italian restaurant opposite. I tapped on the window to say hello but as I did so noticed a rather disgruntled spouse. I hastened away only to hear a shout from behind me. I feared the worst - a Wallis bollocking. Instead he invited me to be his guest at the SH dinner. What a gent!
Bob Fisher sent me this
So sorry to learn about the passing of Don, the end of another era, Wallis and Hart! I met Don a few times socially after he had retired from playing at Northwood Golf Club where I believe he was a member and he always had something to say, normally sarcastic but never meant to offend, just his way of keeping up with his ‘hard man’ image. May he rest in peace.
Steve Thompson sent me this
I thought about Don a lot today. I couldn't get his 'long barrier' at mid-off out of my mind. That and the time Alf and I were both out by 11.40 on a Sunday morning to Arthur Gates after a particularly heavy night before. I think his precise words were: “Don't you ever fucking do that again.”
One my fondest memories will be of him playing Sinatra songs with and for Colin Price at Kewferry Road after another unbeaten Sunday. I think Len the Scorer was the one person who really got his measure. Don didn't ever seem to know what to make of him which was wonderful.
Colin Nash
I have many memories of Don, a fierce opponent and central character in those memorable years which was so special between SHCC and Hornsey CC. I actually got on very well with Don, and enjoyed his company and banter. This continued until recent years with regular meet ups at Lord's Tests.
David Bloomfield
I was sad to hear of the passing of Don. In addition to his great quality as an
opening bowler and renown in partnership with Bill he was quite a character
and certainly made an impression on everyone who came in contact with him. He was a great servant to South Hampstead.
Colin Price
I enjoyed Don because I think beneath the gruff exterior there was character and a loyalty demonstrated by his service to South Hampstead both as a player and administrator. I suspect that after Beryl died, his will to carry on may have diminished as I have no doubt he was devoted to her. Life was never dull with Wallis about (or Wal as Beryl used to call him) and I was very pleased to be able to show them around Sydney and enjoy an evening at the Opera House with them some years ago. I’m not sure if Don was actually into opera but Beryl enjoyed the night and the building is worth going to if nothing else.
Out and About with the Professor
The Professor is back from the sun and heat and is almost a Yorkshireman these days
In January 1863, a number of Sheffield “gentlemen” met at the Adelphi Hotel and decided to form a cricket club. And not just any old cricket club…Yorkshire County Cricket Club. That makes 2013 the Sesquicentennial (no less) year and an opportunity – not to be missed - to celebrate “the most successful county cricket team… ever”. The gentlemen, having resolved on the formation of the club, first decided on the subs (it is Yorkshire) which were set at 10/6d and then formed a sub-committee, thus simultaneously founding the most quarrelsome administration in county cricket…ever.
Sadly the Adelphi has gone the way of the founders but on the site now stands the Crucible Theatre, rather more famous for another sport, if that is how snooker could be described, but an excellent venue for a rather bigger gathering.
So, on exactly the same day, at the same spot, 150 years’ later, some 400 or so gentlemen and ladies (…and myself) all gathered to commemorate the great event…and a very good do it was too. The event was “hosted” by a local TV man and featured readings and recollections and appearances from Yorkshire stars past and present and some modest (Yorkshire again remember) refreshments.
Stephen Chalke recounted Appleyard’s and Hirst’s feat of 200 wickets in a season (Hirst getting 2,000 runs as well, of course) and there was a moving account of Yorkshire’s last match before WW2 (and thus Verity’s last match) against Sussex – it seemed that there was some doubt as to whether the match should take place but the Yorkshire Captain, Sellers, had not been told to cancel and wanted the game to be played because it was Jim Parks’ benefit. In the event Verity bowled out Sussex in the second innings for 33, he taking 7 for 9 in 6 overs. It is well-known that Verity died of his wounds in an Italian hospital in 1943.
There was a wealth of detail of this sort and I kept feeling –metaphorically – the hot breath of the Association of Cricket Statisticians over my shoulder, offering corrections to the various narratives. Actually, there was one correction from the audience. Our President, Sir Geoffrey, was musing on the best captain he had ever played for - Brian Close - (not Ray Illingworth for obvious reasons) and he said that Close had made him into an opening batsman. Boycott’s story was that he was reasonably new to the side and batting at 5 or 6 (“Bet you crashed around in’t middle order Geoff”…that was Michael Vaughan, to much general amusement…especially Vaughan’s) but then on the eve of a county game at Scarborough, Close took him to one side and said:
“I’d like you to open, Geoff”.
“No thanks skipper, I’m happy at number 6”.
“OK, please yourself, but its opening or 12th man”.
The intervention came from Close himself who was sitting in the front row of the audience:
“Thee’s wrong there Geoff”.
Silence….
…“It weren’t Scarborough…it were Bramall Lane”.
They were still arguing about it at the end of the evening (Where is the ACS when you need them?).
There was a deal more reminiscing, as well as an opportunity for our President to give some of his famously forthright opinions: Mike Denness – “wouldn’t let ‘im look after me cats let alone captain a cricket team”; current Australian batting line up – “me mother could ‘a bowled them out”; Imran Khan – “great captain…anyone who can captain that lot deserves a medal…’e put a stop to t’ betting an’ match fixin’ in ‘is first game – he walked into changin’ room and said “Right you lot, I’ve put all yer wages with the bookies on a Pakistan win. If we lose, yer get nowt.” Stopped it there an’ then…and Pakistan won the Test”. Boycott said he regretted taking the Yorkshire captaincy when he did – which brought a few wry smirks around the room – his principal reason seemed to be that he didn’t have a very good team: “Although they were a great bunch o’ lads”. Graham Stevenson was a particular favourite because, he was given, it seems, licence to take the micky out of the great man. He once called for Boycott, who was still living with his mother, and she took some time to open the door:
“I ‘ope you wont mind me sayin’ this Mrs B, but you move a bit slow for someone whats taken all those wickets and scored all those runs that Geoff keeps talkin’ about.”
There are more celebrations to come and should Yorkshire win the Championship this year that might be the biggest of all.
Stephens Matters
Eric Stephens was also at this Sesquicentennial Soiree
Yorkshire County Cricket Club celebrated its 150th Birthday on January 8th at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. It was on this date in 1863 that a group of enthusiasts met and formed the County Club in this building, which was then the Adelphi Hotel. All 411 seats were sold out and the partisan audience warmed to readings about great moments in the Club’s history from Stephen Chalke and David Warner; about the present from Stephen Patterson and about the future from Ben Coad from the County Academy.
There was then a Q & A session hosted by Harry Gration with President Boycott, Captain Gale and Board Member Vaughan. The President in particular was his usual straightforward self, but these days he is (almost) nice about it, and has developed a full sense of humour. He, more than anyone else on the evening, entertained the audience. The evening was organised by Rachael Boycott and was one of the most enjoyable events this writer has attended. It would be nice if the 150th year ends with another county championship.
Eric also presided over a presentation to Phil Sharpe
On June 1st the fielding record of Philip Sharpe in 1962 was remembered.
On behalf of the County Supporters Association, Eric Stephens started the presentation by saying that Philip is one of the few cricketers best known for his fielding. Most are remembered as batsmen or bowlers. But he added that Philip had a test average of 46.23, and only 4 Tykes have ever done better. Also in 1962, Philip scored 2201 runs, and since then only on 2 occasions have Yorkshiremen reached 2000 runs in a season. Eric concluded by recounting a story told by Mel Ryan at a Sheffield Dinner in 2009 at which the 1959 side were Guests of Honour. “We were t’best fielding side around” said Mel. “We only had one problem...we had to hide Sharpey at slip ‘cos he couldn’t field reit”.
Whether the tale is true or exaggerated is not relevant. Philip Sharpe was possibly the best slip fielder of all time, and certainly in the top half dozen. In 1962 he broke a 61 year old record held by John Tunnicliffe for the number of catches in a season by an outfielder. He held 71 catches, beating the long standing record by a single catch. It is a record never likely to be beaten.
Joan Fort, Phil Sharpe and Eric Stephens
Eric then invited Joan Fort, a long standing member of the Supporters Association, to present Philip with the award for this achievement; a framed list detailing all of the 71 catches taken.
In response, Philip was clearly delighted with the award and thanked the Supporters Association for its thought and generosity. He did, however, question the veracity of the Ryan story, remarking that he had a terrifying power throw from gully! A wonderful occasion for a truly great Yorkshire servant.
And he was also in attendance at Don Wilson’s Memorial Service
I was fortunate enough to attend the Memorial service for Don Wilson on September 19th. In a moving and yet factual ceremony, many paid tribute to Don the Man, the Player, the Coach, the Entertainer and the Organiser. The first tribute described Don as a ‘bloody good bloke’. No prizes for guessing the nationality! It was from Ian Chappel. Apparently during the 1970-1 tour of Australia, when Don learned to carry drinks for the Tests, he, Chappeli, Rod Marsh and the new replacement fast bowler Willis talked for hours about cricket after the game each evening, accompanied by much amber nectar. Another tribute was from Dr. Ali Bacher, who recounted how Don, along with Philip Hodgson and Dickie Bird came out to South Africa in the late 60’s to coach the boys in the black townships. Around 2000 turned up at the first session (only a few were expected). No problem to Don: he had all of them involved within half an hour. Don’s great friend Philip Sharpe gave his own tribute; he and Don were the Team’s great entertainers and could give their own Black and White Minstrel performance (possibly after more amber nectar). Isn’t political incorrectness great? Philip Hodgson, then President of MCC, also paid tribute and recounted Don’s popularity as MCC Head Coach for many years.
All the tributes told of his enthusiasm, his devotion to the game, his love of life. In his last years, Don needed mobility aids. His son Toby needed to drive him around. A sad way for a great athlete to finish.
On a personal note: I was first introduced to Don in 2005 at the Scarborough Festival at a fund raising opener for the Dickie Bird Foundation. Together with 2 friends, Don entertained us with his tales and views on the game. I gave Don a picture of him with the 1959 team at a table in 2009 and his response was overwhelming. I shall always keep it. I was due to go and take him out to lunch at the end of the last season. Sadly, now a forever missing memory. What a man.
Match Reports
The Great Jack Morgan sent me two more reports from his archives
John Warr won the toss and chose to bat first on a good wicket in the Championship match against Leicestershire at Lord's on June 1, 2 and 3 1960, when a scorecard cost four old pence, less than 2p. Middlesex made a useful 319 in their first innings, but it was an uneven effort. Eric Russell hit a typically cultured 86 and Ron Hooker, batting at 4 and bowling only two overs in the match, supported him well with 44 in a stand of 102 for the third wicket, but still Middlesex slumped to 170 for 6. Fortunately, Fred Titmus with 78 and John Murray (68), batting at no 8, put on 135 for the seventh wicket, before another collapse saw the lads all out for 319, with no other batsman making more than 7. The damage had been done by the spin pair of Lancastrian off spinner Jack Savage (3 for 90) and the slow left armer from Yorkshire Bernard Cromack (6 for 48). Savage was a class act and a seasoned pro, but Cromack was almost unheard of (only two wickets in his career before this match) and his performance was totally unexpected. Keeper Ray Julian claimed three victims, all off Cromack.
When Leicestershire batted they were soon in trouble against the Middlesex pace attack at 22 for 4 and never really recovered. Seam bowler Terry Spencer, batting at 8, made the top score (38) for the visitors and Yorkshireman Jack van Geloven (32) was the only other batsman to make more than 23. The credit went to Don Bennett (4 for 33), Alan Moss (3 for 22) and captain Warr (3 for 25) as Leics were all out for 157 and followed on 162 behind. This time, however, experienced openers Maurice Hallam and skipper Willie Watson (one of the few players to have represented England at both cricket and football and yet another Yorkshireman) gave Leics a much better start. Hallam, in particular, was in terrific form and Middlesex used four spinners (off spinners Fred Titmus and Peter Parfitt, leg spinner Bob Gale and slow left armer Bob Hurst) in an attempt to dislodge the pair. Eventually, Warr got rid of Hallam for a magnificent 121 (with 22 fours) out of an opening stand of 196 in less than two and a half hours. Three more wickets fell before the close of day two, but at 201 for 4, with Watson still there, prospects looked good for an interesting final day. However, England fast bowler Moss had other ideas as he bowled Watson for an adhesive 61 and finished with the outstanding figures of 17-5-23-6 (including 5 for 6 on the third morning) as Leicestershire plummeted to 214 all out. Russell and Gale knocked off the 53 needed for victory without loss and the game was all over before lunch on day three. This was something of a disappointment for the schoolboys in the crowd, but I contented myself with the thought that I had been present at a Middlesex victory for the very first time. Middlesex, who took 12 points from this match, were enjoying a good season and twice topped the Championship table in May and June. Eventually, they finished third behind champions Yorkshire and only 0.04 of a point behind runners up Lancashire; it was their best season since sharing the Championship with Yorkshire in 1949. Eric Russell was the top Middlesex batsman of the 1960 season with 1,895 runs and just behind him in the averages were Gale, Syd Russell, Titmus and Parfitt, who all exceeded 1,000 runs, though some of the averages look ordinary by today's standards.
Moss was the top bowler with 118 wickets and Titmus was close behind on 117; Warr, in his final season, was third with 66 and their averages look very impressive compared to modern day figures. Murray took 99 victims behind the stumps and Parfitt snapped up 48 catches, nearly all in close catching positions. Leicestershire were destined to finish bottom of the table in 1960. Middlesex were third again in 1961, but that was their highest finishing position until they clinched their next title in 1976.
Worcestershire captain Phil Neale won the toss on September 11 1982 and chose to bat first in the final Championship match of the season at the County Ground, New Road. However, Middlesex needed only four points to seal the Championship Trophy and their seam bowling quintet of Wayne Daniel, Norman Cowans, Simon Hughes, Wilf Slack and Mike Gatting soon put them in control at 67 for 5. The main resistance came from Kenyan Dipak Patel (later to play Test cricket for New Zealand) with 44 and keeper David Humphries (56), but Middlesex acquired their fourth bowling point at 2.52pm when Alan Warner was caught in front of me at deep mid off by Daniel off the bowling of John Emburey and so claimed the title. Worcestershire were soon all out for 168 (Emburey 3-18, Cowans 3-50) and skipper Mike Brearley and opening partner Slack got Middlesex off to a sound start with a partnership of 50. However, medium paced trundler Martin Weston, who had taken three expensive wickets in the whole season, soon had three more and the visitors were 62 for 3. Fine batting from Gatting (61) and Roland Butcher (94) put Middlesex back in charge and they finished day one with a lead of 53 with five wickets still standing. The second morning was dominated by Phil Edmonds, batting at 8, who thoroughly enjoyed hitting 92 in good time to take Middlesex to 382 all out and a lead of 214. Seventeen year old Barbadian debutant Ricky Ellcock, later to join Middlesex, picked up three wickets at the end while Weston had 3 for 42. When Worcestershire batted again, ex-Middlesex 2s opener Mark Scott, from Muswell Hill, shared a staunch third wicket stand of 68 with skipper Neale before he fell for 37 and Neale departed soon after for a laudable 50. The best knock of the Worcestershire second innings, however, came from Weston, who had been having nearly as poor a season with the bat as he had with the ball, but now he showed his true potential with a fighting innings of 64. Getting some assistance from the tail, he managed to take the total up to 263 all out but this left Middlesex only 50 to win and nearly a day to get them. The Middlesex seamers had done the damage with Gatting taking 4 for 43 and Hughes 3 for 59. Brearley and Slack enjoyed their second half century partnership of the match, this time unbroken, as Middlesex strolled to victory by ten wickets. If Brearley was the dominant partner in the first innings, then Slack took control in the second, but it was fitting that the captain, in his final innings for the club, should have the honour of hitting the winning runs and collecting the Championship silverware. Middlesex 24 points Worcestershire 5 and Middlesex topped the table by 39 points over runners up Leicestershire. The most successful batsmen for Middlesex in the Championship in 1982 were Gatting (average 67), Brearley, Butcher and Slack who all made more than 1,000 runs, while Emburey also batted very well lower in the order. The main bowlers were Daniel, Edmonds and Emburey who all took over 70 wickets at very good averages, while some who had fewer opportunities like Cowans (because of injury), Hughes (because of his finals), Gatting and Slack (because they were mainly batsmen and Gatt was also absent with England) also took good wickets cheaply when they were called upon. In fact, Gatt was not only top of both the batting and bowling averages for Middlesex, but was also the top England qualified player in the national averages for both batting and bowling.
Carlin Matters
Paddy has been down under. He sent me this
The undoubted sporting highlight of my three week holiday in Sydney was attendance on the Friday of the SCG Sri Lanka test. There is ongoing redevelopment of them ground similar to that at Edgbaston but fortunately the green roofed members stand and Ladies Pavilion remain intact. It is difficult to understand the economics of this rebuilding and enlarging process because exactly the same thing is happening to the once lovely Adelaide ground. These grounds are only really full for the first three days and possibly the ODIs in Ashes series. Attendances at Big Bash are seriously down and the Sheffield Shield is sparsely attended. There can be no possibility of a rapid or even eventual break even unless the whole thing is financed by government. It also ruins the character of the ground.
On day one there had been tributes to Tony Greig and Mike Hussey and on our day the designated tribute was for Glen McGrath’s Breast Cancer Charity. We were all given a pink bandana to wear. I attended as a guest of Shaun McLagan along with his dad, Mike, and wife, Sal. We were treated to behind the scenes hosting by Channel 9 and access to the Executive Box. We went into the commentary box where Messrs Lawry, Taylor and Chappell were doing their stuff and then sat in pink blazers in the interview room. The Executive Box, the complimentary food and drink beckoned and and thankfully we could watch the match from lower down. Highlights for me included getting Steve Waugh’s autograph for my grandson and telling the former Prime Minister, John Howard, what a wonderful country Australia was.
The series had been dreadfully one sided and Mitchell Johnson had injured three of them so badly at Melbourne that they had been unable to bat in their second innings. However, they managed nearly 300 and we got to see Australia bat although most of it I must confess was through a bit of a haze. But I saw both Clarke and Warner get out to ugly slogs and the former run out Hussey. Hughes made 80 odd but it was not enjoyable.
There is something wrong with the balance of this Aussie side. Five of the top six are left handers and Johnson is too. Swann will love this. Wade is an aggressive bat but a poor keeper. There are no capable spinners. There has been some talk of Shane Warne returning as the Aussie spinner but it’s not a tough choice between whether to share a room on tour with a fellow cricketer or bed down for the night with Elizabeth Hurley. Watson can’t score a run at present and has been told to stop bowling on medical grounds. They do have some useful looking quicks: Starc, Bird, Siddle, Pattinson, Cummins, Johnson, Copeland, Bollinger, Hilfenhaus and Cutting. If they can find a better keeper, a couple of right handed batsmen and the pace men don’t get injured the Ashes series could be close in England and very difficult in Australia.
Pedantry Matters
I received the following from Chris Overson whose tongue seems to be wedged firmly in his cheek
In Googlies & Chinamen 121 the Professor wrote about the ACS and concluded that 'We must never, never let Googlies fall into the hands of cricketing pedants...'. I agree entirely. However, I would just like to point out that the word 'Netherland' was used in the title of the article, whilst the final paragraph refers to 'netherworld'. Also, in the penultimate paragraph 'it's entirety' should of course read 'its entirety', and in the same sentence the right hand quotation marks have unfortunately been omitted. I also wonder whether the title 'Googlies & Chinamen' of your excellent journal needs to be clarified since some Australians refer to the chinaman as a googly. Perhaps you could add a snappy explanatory bracket or footnote to the title. Chris Overson (no hyphen, one decimal place).
Rangers Matters
George sent me this
I bought Pauline Danny Baker’s autobiography as a stocking filler. She read it before the New Year and I’m now reading it. It’s not Proust but it is quite entertaining. DB’s dad Spud was a heavyweight docker of the time and a lifelong Millwall supporter, renowned for getting thrown out of grounds as DB notes, “…most vividly to me, during a 6-1 defeat at Loftus Road”. This brought back the day in sepia and blue. Alec Stock, that great lower division manager had just signed Rodney Marsh from Fulham for about £15,000. Rangers were in the 3rd division, behind Millwall in the league and just about challenging them for promotion.
It had been a heady year for Rangers supporters, though a great deal more would come in the next couple of years before the bubble burst. Jim and I took one of Wynne’s old sheets and some blue paint from Eric’s shed and made a banner with ‘EASY’ written on it. When we got to the ground we could get nowhere near the normal place (Ellerslie Road, sloping end, two thirds of the way down the slope to the right of the goal as you look from the terrace, two thirds of the way to the back). So we were stranded in alien territory in a densely packed ground. I remember Rodney scoring early on and Jim and I raising the banner. “Put that fucking thing down” came the command from behind us in an East End accent. I remember that we obeyed and stood uncomfortably for the rest of the match as Rodney and co. laid Millwall to waste.
The only official history of the match I can find is as follows:
“The last weekend in March Millwall were at Loftus Road, where new signing Rodney Marsh scored his first-ever goal for Rangers after just three minutes and sent Q.P.R. on their way to a 6-1 victory. The game was continually held up by celebratory pitch invasions by Rangers fans. The Tannoy announcer was instructed to broadcast by Match officials that the game would be abandoned if there were any more pitch invasions. Being 6-1 down to their nearest pursuers in the promotion race it was too good an invitation to Millwall fans who poured onto the pitch and sat down. With the police and QPR Officials at a lost of how get the game restarted, Millwall Manager Billy Gray took the microphone and appealed to the Millwall fans to acknowledge that Rangers were the better team on the day, but it would be Millwall's year for promotion. It worked as the Millwall fans returned to the Terraces and the final few minutes were played out.”
Proctor Matters
Ken Smale asked me to mention the following
Bob's widow, Eileen, is visiting Europe next year and would like to scatter some of Bob's ashes on the grounds of Brentham Cricket Club. We are arranging a brief ceremony at 1pm on Sunday April 21 at Brentham, to be followed by a light buffet and use of the bar. Anyone who'd like to come along would be very welcome and it would be good if they could contact Ken so that he can get a rough idea of numbers.
Haywood and Gates Matters
Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Lionel Haywood for a full and speedy recovery from his recent surgery.
I hear that Arthur Gates is undergoing chemotherapy yet again. Our best wishes go to him to get through this episode.
Googlies and Chinamen
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