Author Archives: Wade

1870 : Appeal to help 80 year old cricketer John Bowyer

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John Bowyer.

— Mr. W. W. Thomson, the honorary secretary of the Mitcham Cricket Club, calls our attention to the fact that John Bowyer, an old cricketer of no inconsiderable repute, who was born at Mitcham on June 18, 1790, and is, therefore, in his 80th year, is now residing in his native village without any means of subsistence, and unable to do anything for his living.

John Bowyer first played for his county (Surrey) v. England at Lord’s, in July, 1810, and is one of the few men living who played against the following members of the old Hambledon Club (dissolved in 1791), viz.: William Beldham, Wells, Robinson, Thomas Walker. Fennex, and Lambert (the little farmer). He was a celebrated batsman (left-handed) in the days of those good cricketers, Lord F. Beauclerk, Messrs. W. Ward, E.H. Budd, G. Osbaldeston, Assheton Smith, and others, who flourished between 1810-30, and he also took part in half a dozen of the “B’s v. England” matches at Lords. He last played in 1838, but still stands umpire in the village matches, as he has done for thirty-three years past.

An excellent photograph of this sterling cricketer has been published, and the Mitcham cricketers appeal to the cricketers of England to take a photograph of this fine old player, winch will be sent by post on receipt of eighteen postage stamps. Application can be made either to the honorary secretary, Mitcham ; Mr. Wm. Mortlock, cricketing outfitter, Waterloo Station, London. S.W.; or Mr. John Lillywhite, Seymour-street, Euston-road, London, N.W. The proceeds will be given to Bowyer. A few days’ delay may perhaps occur in forwarding photographs, as the orders for copies will be regulated by the demand.

Source: Sporting Life – Saturday 26 February 1870 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

1968 Cricket mural unveiled at Cricketers pub

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UNVEILING a new wall mural at The Cricketers Public House, Mitcham, on Tuesday, Mr. John Young, chairman of Young’s Brewery, said that the pub and the Cricket Green opposite had been connected with the sport for well over 200 years.

The first Australian team to tour this country had used the original pub as a pavilion and changing rooms.

When the new building was opened in 1958, following a fire at the previous pub, they put numerous photographs of cricketers around the bars.

“ We thought it would be a good idea to have a mural based on a cricket match in the bar, and this we have done,” Mr. Young added.

The mural is the work of Mr. Conrad Nickolds, who first had to take a picture of a cricket match, played on Whit Monday, with a wide angle lens.

Mr. Nickolds, who describes himself as a craftsman and not an artist, then coloured the print and mounted it on a frame to recreate the cricketing scene.

Later in the evening, following the unveiling of the mural by Mr. Young, the licensee and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cromack, opened their new “ Doubles ” bar and restaurant upstairs.

Customers were able to take part in wine tasting, and during the everting there was a competition with a prize of 12 bottles of Spanish table wines.

Among the regulars were Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Young — not related to the brewery firm—who have been visiting The Cricketers for 40 years.

“ I can even remember coming to The Cricket Green in 1908 with my father, and while he went into The Cricketers for a pint, I would be sent to a little shop across the road for a bag of sweets,” Mr. Young said.