I was looking at my brother-in-law's copy of The Sportsmans Who's Who of 1957. The foreword included a quote from Milton which gives you an idea what world this came from.
A fair number of the people listed played more than one sport. Fred Titmus didn't just bowl off-breaks for England and Middlesex. He also played inside-right for Hendon in the Athenian League.
Many of them were amateurs and therefore they provide a home address rather than that of a club. Eric Dominy of 18, Hamilton Way, Finchley learned judo in a German P.O.W. camp from which he managed to escape. Hubert Doggart of 66 Kingsgate Street, Winchester played test cricket for England versus the West Indies but could only manage to play for Sussex in August. He also wanted to mention that he played squash, rackets, rugby fives and soccer for Cambridge as well as turning out at inside-right for Corinthian Casuals.
Same sort of thing here in Australia, where many cricketers were also well regarded footballers.
ReplyDeleteIt got me thinking who plays rugby fives these days? I see from the website of the game's governing body that there are now only four courts North of the border. All are here in Edinburgh and contained within public schools. That should make it easier to have it added onto your sporting biog. if you are a pupil at any.
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