The Twelfth Man 2011

10 and I wish you continued success and friendship in completing your century in 40 years time. ECB Chief Executive – David G.Collier Whenever I think of Wombwell, it reminds me that, for those of us who love the game of cricket, it is a womb-to-tomb experience. Cricket has such a special appeal. Consider those members of the Wombwell Cricket Lovers’ Society who, in the summer, sit in the rain waiting for play; and in the winter, when cricket is in hibernation, meet and argue about players who were dead long before they were born. Only true cricket lovers would understand the joy and frustration of such discussions. The Rt.Hon.Sir John Major, KG, CH My connection with WCLS stretches back some 40 years. I can remember attending the meetings at the Horse Shoe Hotel in Wombwell in the 1960s with my parents and watching the senior team play on Sundays. I used to take my kit and play on the outfield during the break in play and loved it. Since then I have attended coaching sessions organised by the Society and played in the Joe Lumb competition for WCLS. The Society has gained worldwide recognition and had some of the greatest names in the sport attend its meetings and dinners. A lot of credit for this obviously goes to Jack Sokell, but there have been many other people who have spent a lot of time and effort making WCLS what it is today. I think particular mention should be made of the volunteers who have kept the Society ‘alive’ since the death of Jack. I would like to congratulate everyone involved with WCLS on its Diamond Anniversary and I hope the Society continues to flourish. Congratulations and Best Wishes. Yorkshire CCC Director of Professional Cricket, Yorkshire and England cricketer, Society Vice- President – Martyn Moxon The most famous Cricket Society in the World has played itself in over 60 years. In that time it has brought interest and enjoyment to many. I’ve had the pleasure of being invited to speak and be part of an enjoyable interaction with members and guests. Please don’t stop supporting cricket and inviting interesting people. In the years to come Test Match cricket will be under threat as crowds dwindle all over the world – except for England. One-day cricket is fun, but to some people it is the way of the future and to many administrators only money and more money from TV matters. Your interest, love and support for all cricket will be important in the future. My warmest regards. Society Patron – Geoff Boycott OBE It gives me great pleasure to write a few words on the Diamond Anniversary of the Wombwell Cricket Lovers’. Being the first young cricketer to attend the nets and to progress to become the first player from the Society to play for Yorkshire and England says how special it is. Many professional cricketers have been fortunate to have followed the same path and had very successful careers in cricket, which is indicative of the coaching and nurturing the Society provides. Once again, my very best wishes for the future and long may the Society flourish in difficult times. Have a great year. Yorkshire and England cricketer – Arnie Sidebottom There is The Cricket Society; there are other cricket societies; and there is the Wombwell Cricket Lovers’ Society. Wombwell was really the first cricket society I discovered, after The Cricket Society, which I had joined at long distance from Australia in the 1950s. There were no such groups in Australia at that time. I was browsing in the early 1960s in the Red Cross bookshop in Adelaide’s North Terrace – a few hundred yards from Adelaide Oval – when I found a copy of The Twelfth Man, introducing me to the bustling world of Wombwell. Much to my amazement, in 2011, after only a few minutes riffling through the thousands of books, magazines and sundry items in my cricket collection, I found that booklet again. It is issue No.7, published in September 1960, at a cost of two shillings (“ what’s a shilling, Daddy ?”) The frontispiece offers a photo of “Senior Patron, Mr.E.H.Umbers MBE, JP Barnsley area representative on the committee of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club” – an instant reminder of the close links between the society and county club. Other Patrons were Denzil Batchelor, Sir John Barbirolli, and the Earl of Scarborough, while the president was Dr.L.Taylor, with Charles F.Ibbotson (Chairman) and Miss Jean Swift (Vice-Chairman). Hon.Secretary (the name meant nothing to me then) was Jack Sokell, his assistant being George Wignall, with George W.Spofforth as Hon.Treasurer, Eric Sykes Hon.Librarian – and the Headquarters, The Horse Shoe Hotel. In practical Yorkshire fashion, the magazine began,