Searching for information on Bardsey CC, I found that Romany CC is attached to Bardsey.
As far as I can make out, there would appear to be some players connected with both clubs.
ROMANY CC HISTORY
Up to 1949.
John Howgate’s history – 1975 In 1975 John Howgate produced a history of the Romany Cricket Club, a copy of which can be found here. (The link didn't work for me)
Additional material
This section of the website revisits and builds upon the archives that he consulted. We now have the additional benefit of more readily accessible records from elsewhere, enabling us to build up a picture of the Club from its early years to 1949. Any reader with additional information about the Club or its players should please contact the Website Administrator. We are keen to have copies of photographs, fixture cards, averages, circulars or other memorabilia.
FOUNDING OF THE CLUB
The precise date of the founding of the club remains uncertain. We celebrated its centenary in 2002, partly because we were at least certain that the club was in existence by 1902, but also because the group charged with planning centenary celebrations took so long to organise them that 2002 had arrived anyway.
The Yorkshire Gentlemen’s Cricket Club has extensive records, including that of a game against the Romany Cricket Club in 1903.
It was said (though no one seems sure now who said it) that the club was founded by soldiers returning from the Boer War – presumably the later one (1899 to 1902).
The Secretary’s Report of 1923 states that “Mr Goucher has been Umpire since the formation of the Club in 1902”. Written only 21 years on, that would seem conclusive, yet a later newspaper extract quite precisely records that the club was then in its fifty-third year. Unhelpfully, the archivist omitted to put a date on the extract. Teasingly, the context of the extract suggests that it was written around the time that the club resumed playing after the second world war. A comparison of scorebooks and fixture lists suggests that the extract was from 1947. That would put the first year as 1895.
The 1948 minutes refer to “the Club’s history of over 50 years”. Those minutes are signed by The President (J C Spivey) who was Captain in 1911 and may well have been one of the founder members.
The Leeds Mercury (the forerunner of the Yorkshire Post) regularly reported on local cricket, but a search of its digitised archives (which go up to 1900) discloses no mention of the Romany Cricket Club.
EARLY YEARS – FOUNDER MEMBERS
To 1919.
Just as the exact date of the founding of the club is uncertain, we cannot be sure who the founder members were. The archives do however contain several clues.
The 1911 fixture card lists twelve officers of the Club.It is reasonable to assume that some (if not all) would have been founder members a few years earlier. They include the President, C F Tetley, and three Vice Presidents, A Copson Peake, J Stenson Webb and Major Hepworth. A little research gives some idea as to the background of the Club.
A Copson Peake (later Sir Arthur Copson Peake) seems to have had a varied and distinguished career. In 1885 he played in the Yorkshire Tennis championships (losing in the first round) and in 1903 he appears as a member of the Council of the English Lawn Tennis Association. In 1913 he is to be found in Leeds, as a director of John Waddington Limited (of Monopoly fame, but that came many years later). By 1920 he was working at the Home Office, being then a member of the Swift Committee on County Court Procedure (set up in 1920) and Chairman of the Croydon Hippodrome Limited (wound up in 1928). He was President of the Law Society of England and Wales in 1922-23.
J Stenson Webb was an auctioneer with Messrs Hollis and Webb of Leeds. He auctioned the effects of Col HO Trench Gascoigne of Parlington Park, Aberford, in 1905. A man of the same name (and there surely can’t have been two men named J Stenson Webb, can there?) wrote “The Shakespeare Reference Book” in or around 1898.
“Major Hepworth” (as he is listed in the fixture card) gives little away – an initial or two would have been useful. Although we still have the scorebook from 1912, there is no Hepworth there, so his playing days may by then have ended.
The 1911 fixture card also lists (as a Committee member) G G S Grundy. The 1936 minutes refer to him as a “Foundation Member of the Club”. George Grundy was educated at Harrow School from 1874 to 1876 and played twice for Sussex in 1880. He was also a member of the Gentlemen of Sussex CC. The 1901 census lists him as a “pig iron agent” (whatever one of those is or was), living in Headingley.
The Treasurer in 1911 was H D Bousfield (by then a solicitor, whose address is listed as 6 Butt’s Court, Leeds, the home of Dibb Lupton & Co). Colonel Hugh Delabere Bousfield CMG DSO TD DL JP (1872-1951) commanded a West Yorkshire Regiment battalion during the Great War. Included among his decorations were the French and Belgian Croix de Guerre.
The Secretary was C C Frank (Charles Clark Frank), another solicitor, practising at Gordon Chambers in Bond Street, Leeds.
Early years – fixtures
The 1911 season started at Briar Court, Huddersfield (a house built in the 1890s by Edgar Wood, one of England’s most innovative architects, for his newlywed sister). Romany played just nine matches that season, including two against each of Ryburn Valley (in the Ripponden/Barkisland area) and Menston Asylum. Other games were against Old Leodiensians, Bramham Park, Escrick Park and Yorkshire Gentlemen (who played at Wigginton Road in York at the time). The archives include a copy of the rather ornate fixture list of the Escrick Park Cricket Club for 1911,which shows some of the other teams on the circuit at the time.
The 1912 scorebook starts with a fixture against St Peter’s School in York. In addition to similar fixtures to those of 1911, Romany also played at Arthington and Malton.
1919 – 1929
1919 to 1923Little is known about this period. No records appear to have survived – if any reader is aware of any, please contact the website administrator.
Later minutes of meetings refer to the “reconstruction” of the Club after the war years. Presumably there was little or no cricket during the war. We do know that the Club was up and running again at least by 1923.
From 1923
The minute books for the period from 1923 to 1972 remain intact, as do a number of scorebooks, photographs and newspaper cuttings. Together they provide an invaluable insight into the club. Sections in italics below are (generally) extracts from the minutes.
1923
Blazers, club colours and caps
The first entry relates to a committee meeting held at 26 Albion Street in Leeds on 18 July 1923. There were five present, Messrs Roberts, Glazebrook, Aikman, Lupton and Taylor. There was evidently only one item of business:
Further discussion took place on the Club Blazer question and owing to lack of support from the members the matter was dropped for the time being”
The Club colours have traditionally been red, green and yellow. A blazer in such colours would have been memorable.
The 1923 AGM was held at the Queen’s Hotel on 10 October 1923 at 6 pm. Among other resolutions, quite formally recorded, was a change to “Rule No 2” (as to the number of committee members). It does at least seem therefore that there were then some rules – such rules have been lost in the mists of time.
It was also resolved:
“That the Cap, as worn by certain members of the Club, be adopted as the official cap of the Club” “That the Annual Dance be held as hitherto …”
1924
Practice, subs and ties
Mr J A Lupton kindly informed the [committee] meeting that he would be very pleased if members would take advantage of the wicket prepared by himself at his residence, Lyndhurst, North Grange Road, for practice purposes.”There were 42 Club members, including Vice Presidents.
Subscriptions were one guinea. Ties cost 5 shillings and 6 pence. A proposal that a new pattern of Club tie be adopted was defeated on a vote, the “original tie” being preferred. No details are given as to the style in either case.
1925
The 1925 scorebook is one of the earliest to survive. It opens with a fixture in mid-July against Sand Hutton. Other fixtures included visits to Whitkirk, Bradford and Clifford House.
B.Hare makes an appearance at Carleton on 1 August (caught Browm, bowled Whitehead for 0). Barry Hare was scorer for Romany for a remarkable 60 years up to his death in the 1980s.
Team selection and fixtures
“In view of the fact that it was often difficult for the Secretary to get together an XI on account of members not replying to their invitation cards, it was proposed by Mr Roberts and seconded by Mr Hudson that unless a reply be received by the Secretary by the first post on the Thursday morning previous to the match, the Secretary will endeavour to find someone to take the place of the member who has not replied.”“It was suggested to the Secretary that he should try to arrange fixtures with the following for next season:
St Peters School, York
Bootham School, York,
Giggleswick School,
Ampleforth College,
Stockeld Park
Eltofts, Thorner.”
1926
Scarborough tour and booklets
“The Secretary was instructed to write to the Cambridge Hotel, Scarborough, to reserve accommodation for the Whitsuntide Tour as usual.” “A suggestion was put forward that a list of member and the rules be combined in a small booklet and the Secretary was instructed to get a quotation for the printing of this booklet.”
No such booklet has been kept with the archives.
1927
Practice at Headingley, donations and presentations
“In view of the substantial credit balance Hopkins proposed and Cole seconded that a donation of Ten Pounds be sent to the fund for the provision of Playing Fields for the nation and that it should be earmarked for local cricket”
“In view of Mr Watson’s century against Arthington it was proposed by Watson and seconded by Roberts to present him with a bat”
Minutes of a committee meeting, held at the offices of Messrs Hudson, Sykes and Bousfield, record that:
“In view of the approaching marriage of the present Captain, Mr W Bower, it was proposed, in view of his long service and the arduous work put in by him, at the time of the reconstruction of the Club, after the War Years and the success he achieved in getting the Club going again,to make him a suitable wedding present from the Club.
It was proposed by Watson and seconded by Lupton, that an amount of £3 be allotted from the Club funds for this purpose and this was carried unanimously.
It was agreed that, as Mr Hudson could obtain silverware on advantageous terms, he and the Secretary should inspect some silverware and decide on a suitable gift. It was also left to them, to hand the gift to Mr Bower, on behalf of the Club.”
1928
On 23 June 1928 GL Watson scored 58 against Sherburn. The scorebook records that “a collection was taken for Mr G L Watson by the home team from local spectators and this amounted to 4s 10d and Mr Watson kindly presented this handsome sum to the captain of the Sherburn Club for the benefit of the Ground Fund”. His generosity may have been tinged with guilt, as his innings does not appear to have been especially scintillating – 48 of his 58 runs were in singles.
Castle Howard
“Mr Roberts proposed and Mr Aikman seconded that, in view of his completion of 50 years cricket at Castle Howard, a suitable memento should be presented to Mr M H Smith, the Captain of the Castle Howard team, on our next visit to Castle Howard.” 1929
Emmott Robinson (Romany coach), caps and ties
“A letter was read which had been received from Emmott Robinson, in connection with practices and coaching, in which he regretted he would be unable to help us this season, having been very ill most of the winter”
Emmott Robinson was evidently the pro that the Club had decided to seek, as mentioned in the 1927 minutes. He played 413 matches for Yorkshire between 1919 and 1931. He took 902 wickets and scored 9,744 runs in his first class career. Wisden published a tribute by Sir Neville Cardus following his death in 1969. His influence on the Romany team of 1928 appears to have been short-lived. Having won the first three matches of the season, Romany failed to win any match after 12 May. The Club paid £5 to Emmott Robinson’s benefit fund in 1929. The 1932 minutes record that “the usual coaching fees be paid to Robinson and Mitchell, as previously”. “Mitchell” was (probably) Arthur “Ticker” Mitchell,whose first class career spanned from 1922 to 1945, and who was Yorkshire’s coach for many years.
“E C Hudson presented samples of new caps, scarves and ties, in new colours, and gave approximate prices for quantities and a lengthy discussion took place on same.”
“E C Hudson proposed and W Bower seconded that caps be similar to those worn at present, but in the new shape. A Hollis proposed, E B Park seconded, that caps should be in green, yellow and red rings, with green peak, with no badge, and on a vote being taken, this latter type was carried”
“ … it was decided to substitute the present tie by one in the new colours, the stripes to be narrower and of equal width.”
1930 – 1939
1930
Prosser’s 144
“It was hoped to be able to present to J H Prosser, the ball, suitably mounted, which was used during the Scarboro’ College game at Whitsuntide, at which he scored 144 runs, but owing to the delay at the silversmiths, this presentation had to be postponed until during the season 1931.”
The silversmith did his job in the end. The original ball is still in the possession of the Prosser family, who have kindly provided the photograph to the left.
The innings of 144 was then the highest ever by a Romany player and remained so until W H Shucksmith scored 148 at Knaresborough Forest in 1977. Two years later, H M Read scored 173* at Burnt Yates. Those three innings remain the highest by Club members. The scorebook from 1930 remains intact, recording every one of Prosser’s 144 runs.
Mention should also be made of the contribution made by (Reverend) E A C Buckmaster, his opening partner, who scored 95, in an opening partnership of 168.
1931
The Romany started the 1931 season in style at Moortown, dismissing the home side for just 20 runs, no fewer than eight of the Moortown batsmen being out without scoring. The expression “without troubling the scorer” springs to mind, but the scorer must have been especially troubled mid-innings, having to record six successive ducks. Moortown were 6 for 7 at one stage. P G S Craig (5 for 2) and J H Prosser (4 for 14) inflicted the damage. P G S Craig and J H Prosser then opened the batting, no doubt hoping to complete the perfect ten wicket victory, but the former was out for 2, Romany winning by 9 wickets.
P G S Craig took 8 for 12 later in the season against Eltofts at Thorner and 7 for 11 against the Second Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment at Strensall a week later.
Reverend E A C Buckmaster appears fleetingly in the scorebooks of this period, especially on the Whitsuntide tour to Scarborough. In 1931 he scored 112 against Scarborough College. Oddly, the only other imprint of his life that comes readily to hand is a letter that he wrote to The Times on 10 October 1939 about the 3,000th cryptic crossword published in that newspaper. He mentions a clue from an earlier crossword that had impressed him greatly (Clue:- ‘It is topping to kiss a monkey.’ Answer: Apex). He finishes his letter thus: ‘Bravo! Sir. Kindly carry on through the difficult days that lie ahead.’ (From ‘The First Cuckoo’ (London, 1976).
1932
Missing accounts
“The Hon Treasurer’s Report and Accounts were not submitted owing to the absence of W G Fitton, Hon Treasurer, from the meeting. A lengthy discussion took place regarding the absence of the accounts for 1931 and 1932 and the absence of W G Fitton, continuously from recent meetings, when requested to attend and produce the accounts. Letters were read from Mr Fitton … Where he stated repeatedly he had been unable complete the accounts, owing to lack of time and opportunity.”W. G. Fitton was duly “relieved the office of Hon Treasurer”.
1933
Still missing accounts – and a case of pipes
A committee meeting was held on Wednesday 1 February 1933 at 26 Albion Street, Leeds, the offices of Bulmer, Lawson and Roberts, “by kind permission of Mr E Roberts”. (The location is of no significance to anyone, other than the compiler of these notes. Bulmer, Lawson and Roberts subsequently merged to become Harrison Plackett and Bulmer, later known as Harrisons. In 1980 the compiler of these notes began his legal career as an articled clerk at Harrisons, at 26 Albion Street.)
W. G Fitton’s non-delivery of the accounts was still causing concern:
“It was formally resolved … That the Committee acting on behalf of the Club, appoint a Solicitor for the purpose of demanding and obtaining all books of account,vouchers etc and a full statement of account, as from October 29th 1930 and a cheque for the balance (if any) as and when ascertained.”
The words “if any” must have been added with some trepidation. There had clearly been a healthy balance in previous years. Col H D Bousfield was appointed on behalf of the Club to pursue the matter.
By April 1933, Col Bousfield had procured a cheque for “£5.10.3” from W G Fitton, representing the balance at the bank:
“The reason for the small balance being due to neglect in collecting subscriptions for 1932 and part 1931, by W G Fitton”
The 1933 AGM minutes record the final indignity for poor W G Fitton:
“The following being at least 3 years in arrear with subscriptions, were automatically struck off, according to rule: … W G Fitton [and twelve others]”
There departs W G Fitton from the archives – rather the hero (in absentia) of the 1930s minutes.
A letter was received by the Secretary (Mr N Taylor) from Percy Armstrong of Scarborough College, following the 1933 tour at which he was presented with a case of pipes “as a token of appreciation of many happy visits by members of the Romany CC”. Percy Armstrong had been the head of Scarborough College since it opened in 1901.
1934
A new cap, a new President and a new golf trophy
“A discussion took place on the colour and design of the caravan and it was agreed that the cap be dark green in colour, with a suitable caravan design on the front”
24 such caps were ordered. Some may still remain for sale.
A general meeting was called for 16 April 1934, “for the election of a new President of the Club, owing to the death of C F Tetley Esq.” (Mr J C Spivey was appointed – he had a long association with the Club, having been captain in 1911.)
The records show that C F Tetley had been President from at least 1911 (and possibly earlier).
Charles Francis Tetley was the son of Francis William Tetley and grandson of Joshua Tetley, the founder of Joshua Tetley and Son. He was born in 1848 and educated at Leeds Grammar School, and at Harrow, and Trinity College, Cambridge.
He became a partner in the brewery in 1877 and chairman of the incorporated company in 1902. He was elected to Leeds City Council as a Conservative in 1895 and served as Lord Mayor two years afterwards. In 1926 he was made a freeman of the city. He was prominent in many aspects of the city’s life, especially its then fledgling university. For fifty years a member of its governing body, he made benefactions to the University of Leeds, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1922. He was also for fifty years a churchwarden of St Michael’s, Headingley. He died on 25 January 1934 and was buried at Lawnswood cemetery.
The origin of Charles’s association with the Romany Cricket Club is uncertain. He was a member of the Leeds Clarence Cricket Club (who played between the 1850s and 1880s) and was instrumental in the establishment of Headingley as a major rugby and football stadium.
From the AGM minutes:
“E Roberts kindly consented to present a cup for competition on the Whit Sunday at a Golf Tournament”
Not every member was there to witness this – the archives contain a rather splendid telegram of apologies from “Hugo” (J H Wood) – those were the days.
1935
Edwin Chetwynd Hudson
“The Chairman (W Bower) referred to the passing, in the year, of E C Hudson, an old member and one who had given excellent service to the Club,as an officer and player.”The Yorkshire Post report of the funeral gives an interesting insight, showing connections through business with the well-known Romany name of Bousfield and the Territorial Army. Many Romany names appear in the list of mourners.
1936
“It was proposed by Mr E Roberts and seconded by O M Telling and after a long discussion carried unanimously that a circular should be sent to Public Schools and further that Messrs Roberts, Peaker and M Wild should draft the circular and should have full powers to act generally with regard to the motion.”
One can only assume that this was a circular inviting fixtures against such schools and not some political diatribe on the private education system.
1937
Ater a couple of years in which the AGM had moved from the Queen’s Hotel to the Hotel Metropole, it reverted a few hundred yards to the “new” Queen’s Hotel on Monday 6 December 1937. Notwithstanding this, a discussion was held at the AGM about the most appropriate hotel, “the preponderance apparently favouring the Great Northern Hotel” – the final decision was left with the Secretary.
H E V Bennett was appointed as Team Secretary for the following season. It seems that he was keen to make his mark at once.
“H E V Bennett proposed Froggatt’s services should be dispensed with and that Scruton should be engaged in his place for 1938”.
History does not record whether Froggatt had absconded with the tea money or simply given H E V Bennett out too often for his liking.
1938
For some years the Club had had a Whitsuntide tour to Scarborough, based at the Pavilion Hotel.
“It was proposed by P Morris and seconded by P W M Mylchreest that the Tour Headquarters at Whitsuntide should be at The Buck at Thornton Dale instead of The Pavilion at Scarborough. There being no match in Scarborough now it was suggested that The Buck would be more convenient as well as being cheaper, a factor which would encourage more members to go on Tour.”
1939
There is a poignant note in the margin of the 1939 minutes:
“Written up from notes 24 March ‘46. At War ‘39 – 45.”
Those minutes end with a record of a vote of thanks to the Chair, proposed by A A Haslam. Captain A A Haslam died in Tunisia on 29 March 1943, aged 34.
1940 – 1949
1940 – 1945
In early 1940, efforts were made to continue playing, with a reduced fixture list of six to eight matches. In a letter to Club members the Treasurer referred to “the loss of so many regular members and to transport difficulties”. Subscriptions were reduced to “a nominal one half of a guinea”.
“Those present at the meeting sent their best wishes to all those members serving with the Forces, with the hope that the occasional re-union might be arranged during the war.”
A fixture list was produced for 1940, showing eight fixtures. The scorebook shows that a number of fixtures were fulfilled. The last Romany fixture recorded is on 7 July 1940, against 45th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment, formerly the 7th (Leeds Rifles) battalion of The West Yorkshire Regiment.
1946
The first post-war AGM was held at the Great Northern Hotel in Leeds on Monday 25 March 1946 at 6 pm. There were twelve members present.
“Before the meeting proper started the President asked all those present to stand in silence for a few moments as a mark of respect to the memory of Arnold Haslam, James Ogilvie, Ted Buckley and Philip Barran, who gave their lives during the War.”
Each of Captain Haslam, Major Ogilvie and Major Buckley had played for Romany in 1939.
Fourteen letters had been received from members “expressing pleasure that the Club was restarting again after the War”.
“ … the Meeting agreed that pre-war unpaid subscriptions should be waived.”
On 4 May 1946 The Romany resumed on the cricket field, at Ben Rhydding. The season culminated in an Intra Romany fixture at Alwoodley on 29 September 1946.
The scorebook shows that A Warner and G Nettleton also played in this fixture – they are presumably the unidentified players on the back and middle rows, but the archives do not identify which is which.
At a particularly well-attended AGM at the Great Northern Hotel in Leeds on 18 November 1946, The President “congratulated all concerned on the successful reconstitution of the Club after the war and on its flourishing condition”.
1947
The 1947 minutes end with a vote of thanks to Barry (Hare) “for his loyal services as Club scorer over a long period”. (The following year the minutes record that he had by then been scorer for 25 years.) It is remarkable to note that he continued in that role until his death in 1984.
1948
The Club President by this stage was J C Spivey,who is shown as Captain in the earliest surviving fixture card (from 1911). He served as President for 25 years, until his death in 1955.
“After a lengthy general discussion on whether a Tour should take place and if so where and whether wives should be entitled to be included in the party and if so on what conditions it was eventually decided … that a Whitsuntide Tour should again take place preferably in the Thornton Dale area … And that all appropriate arrangements should be made by the Committee.”
The minutes do not record what decision was reached as to the entitlement of wives.
1949
The geographical spread of fixtures was by this stage rather different from the eraly years. The first four fixtures in 1949 were at Bolton Abbey, Blubberhouses, Ben Rhydding and Pateley Bridge. Fixtures were also played against HMS Ceres (a naval training establishment at Wetherby). The list had grown by now to 26 matches.
Although the minute books beyond this period survive, the last scorebook in the archives is that for 1949.
No comments:
Post a Comment