Ashfield District Council: Foreword and Introduction

Foreword and Introduction

Ashfield has produced some of the world's most famous cricketers. In Sutton, Kirkby, Hucknall and the outlying villages of Ashfield were born and bred well over a dozen players who won test caps for England - a record that few districts can equal and many will envy.

Dozens more local players rose to first-class level. We only have space here to give brief particulars of them all; it would need a great compendium to set down their feats in detail.

In addition to the players noted, dozens, if not hundreds of other cricketers left Ashfield each summer to fulfil professional posts, either as players or as coaches at schools or with league clubs. At one time there existed a Sutton Professional Cricketers Society with more than 40 members.

Ashfield can be proud of its cricket heritage; long may the game flourish in the district.

Introduction

These webpages have been researched by Rob Wadsworth of Ashfield District Council and members of Kirkby Portland Cricket Club, working with Peter Wynn-Thomas from Nottinghamshire Cricket Club and members of the local community. We hope in creating these webpages and an accompanying heritage booklet that we have covered most of the players who have played first class cricket from the district of Ashfield, although in undertaking such a huge task, omissions may have been overlooked.

The webpages and booklet have been thoroughly researched, and are, to the best of our knowledge, both historically and statistically accurate, although different sources of information do exist.

We hope you enjoy these pages as they portray the significance the game of cricket has had in Ashfield over the last two centuries. It is hoped that through celebrating the achievements of the past, the inspiration of the next generation will be unlocked and for years to come first class cricketers will be recorded as 'Born in Ashfield'.

PID Ref = 462

Foreword and Introduction

Introduction

Useful Links