TOM MORGAN (by RAY LAW)
Captain Extraordinaire. Tactically supreme. Initiator of
man management techniques. Was able to destroy visiting
captains on the way to toss up. Talked Albert Aldridge into
at least 30 wickets a season. Once talked me into number
eleven spot, saying everyone in the side had scored one
or more fifties. He was, as usual, quite correct.
Still storytelling, I understand. I hope so! ALBERT
ALDRIDGE
What does one say? The greatest natural you will ever
see at Pelsall. Took wickets at will. Once scored 130
+ in 35 minutes. Dixie Rowley went to the thunderbox and
missed the last 50. Caused Blakenall Cricket Club to hold tactical talks before
matches, on how to play him. A modest man now batting
No. 4 for Elysian Fields XI.
I shall never forget you
"Bonk".
LEN HAYWARD
The umpire's umpire. A man who ate, dreamt and slept cricket.
I never knew what he did in the winter apart from brush
up on the laws of cricket.
I hope he is the regular umpire for the Elysian Fields
XI.
HARRY WITCUTT/NORMAN CROSS
Must be put together. Two best wicket-keepers ever to
play for Pelsall in the same era. Both prolific run-getters.
It must be remembered the runs both scored should be doubled
as neither was ever out lbw despite what the scorebook
says.
ERIC TEBBETT
Fearsome fast bowler in late 1940's until bad knees reduced
him to leg-break bowling. A fine sense of humour which
led him into dog racing.
Last heard of among the Colonials of the Outback.
WILF "HAPPY" DAVIES
The finest sporting gentleman ever to grace Peisall Cricket
Ground. Happy in victory and defeat. Caused the joke of
the century when given out for obstruction in Knockout
Final at Gorway in the early fifties.
DAVID "MALLET" WRIGHT
The most honest man to walk on Pelsall Cricket Ground.
Had
three ambitions in life. To keep the club in the black.
To thrash Rushall at least once every year. To have at
least two arguments per year with Horace Pittaway, the
Rushall wicket-keeper.
Last heard of opening the batting with Clarrie Hamer for
an Elysian Fields eleven.
CYRIL STACKHOUSE
Played cricket for ever. Most notable achievement was
his partnership with his brother Archie, pre-war Pelsall
leg spinner, when in his own words: "Archie used
to bowl 'em and I used to fetch 'em". I last saw him in the 1960's playing for a church side
at Burton. He batted until he couldn't run anymore. The
match was drawn.
GEOFF HYMAN
Classical opening bat in 1945/8 period. Kept wicket under
protest. The only man known to be able to sleep in the
back of Jack Barker's coal lorry while travelling to away
matches.
Deserted cricket for golf.
BILL CLAYTON
Was the model for Geoff Boycott. Noted for playing a spinner
for over two hours one day at Round Oak. On being asked
why he had not given up his wicket, pointed out it was
his fiftieth birthday and was determined to score fifty.
He did. An occasional bowler who bowled in his cap.
Favourite shot: "NAFFLING IT TO LEG". Last heard
of batting at No. 3 for Elysian Fields XI.
KEN "DIXIE" ROWLEY
The first "professional" to play for Pe[sail.
The first man I knew to think about the game. Change bowler
with a deadly ball. Bowled from 27 yards over umpire's
left shoulder. Got wickets and caused two heart attacks
over the years. Was the leading authority on the thunder-boxes
of all grounds visited. He used every one. Was also an
authority on dog racing systems.
Still in the area, it's rumoured.
LES JONES
Won more matches on his own with the bat, on the wickets
of 1948/50 than any man in living memory. Proved himself
over many years with Walsall in the Birmingham League.
Still about. Still pugnacious. Good on yer, Joner. |
