|
|
|
|
|
|
News & Goings On
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/9/2005
COSELEY CRUSADERS UPDATE
Further to our recent appeal for memories and information about the Coseley Crusaders cricket team (See article below), we are grateful to Richard Wassell for the following 'small personal cameo':
My father, Bert Wassell, played for the Crusaders for a while in the mid-1950s. I can remember attending matches as a small boy; though regrettably not where.
Harry Harrison was a friend of ours at that time - whence I still have a book of cricket mémoirs signed by "Uncle Harry". But I think the friendship ended, sadly, over Crusaders matters.
By his own admission only a modest player, father batted well down the order; though he did bowl a little. One fateful day, however, Harry failed to call on his bowling. Words were exchanged when father complained, Harry responding incongruously "I forgot yow could bowl". I don't think father turned out again...
* * *
Our sister site www.blackcountryshop.co.uk has just started selling a CD containing ten years of Black Country Society magazine articles from 1968 to 1977. The very first issue contains an item by Harry Harrison about the Coseley Crusaders cricket team.
The Crusaders were primarily a Sunday side, formed in 1955 and affiliated to the Midlands Club Cricket Conference. The team travelled extensively to pit their skills against generally rural opponents (Ross on Wye, Cleobery, Alcester), often accompanied by strong support from partners, colleagues and friends who enjoyed the weekend excursion every bit as much as much as the sporting activity taking place.
Club skipper in the those days was Bill Hicklin, who had also been a professional footballer. Other names mentioned in Harry's article include Ike Fisher, John Warner, Colin Powell, Johnny Vincent (of Birmingham FC), Roy Wood, Sid Abbotts, Graham Stockley, and Glen Andrews and Brian Thompson (both Wolves players).
Legendary goalscorer Arthur Rowley, then Shrewsbury Town Manager, also turned out for the Crusaders.
President of the club was Alf Backlog, Chairman Arthur Southall, and Vice President Arthur Reynolds, while Bill and Millie Wellings were responsible for playing kit and social activities respectively. Harry Harrison was secretary after injury curtailed his playing career.
Yampy wonders what happened to the Crusaders. Are they still in existence? Did the present day Coseley cricket team swallow them up at some point? There must be lots of Yampy readers who remember the team, its characters, and those halcyon summer outings.
Any information greatly appreciated, and we can carefully collect, scan and return any photos you may have of the Crusaders. Email us at sport@yampy.co.uk.
|
|
|
