Wombwell Cricket Society

By Brian Sanderson

Another interesting lot  purchased on Ebay recently was the above menu in respect of a dinner to celebrate 40 years of Wombwell Cricket Society which was founded in 1951.

The first Secretary was Jack Sokell, picture above with Denis Compton and they had both the same birthdays which  they are celebrating together. Winter coaching classes began in 1953 with the aim of encouraging local talent and through the years a number of county and international players have
emerged.

Arnie Sidebottom was the first to attain First-Class honours, followed by Graham Stevenson, Tim Boon , Martyn Moxon, Darren Gough and Joe Root. The classes are linked with coaching awards in memory of Society Patrons, the late John Arlott and Brian Johnston, and former Society stalwarts Derek Moxon, Jack Sokeill and Eric Sykes

In 1991 they were acknowledging Don Wilson winning the Denzil Batchelor Memorial Award for services to English Cricket. Don was born in Settle on the 7 August 1937.He was one of the stalwarts of Yorkshire's team who won seven Championships in the 1959-68 period. At this time, 1991, Don was Director of Sport at Ampleforth after being a coach for M.C.C.for 13 years I remember visiting him just before he died in a  2012 listening to his many stories about his career.

Rest in peace Don.