The Twelfth Man 2015

10 Visit to a Real Giant – D.B.Close by Norman Hazell MBE I travelled up to Baildon on 21 January 2014* with Wombwell’s “two Brian’s” to spend a fascinating hour-and-half in the company of a real cricket giant. Viv, Brian’s lovely wife, welcomed us to their home, situated with great views across the countryside. We sat with coffee, before Viv, after taking the compulsory photos, left us to go for a round of golf. Reflecting on the history of our great Yorkshire County Club, makes me wonder on the record of the Committee over the years for losing players who would stand out in any generation. Brian packed off to Somerset in 1971 where he turned this happy-go-lucky County, famous, not just for my ‘Uncle Horace’, but for never having won anything into a Club that really collected prizes of all sorts. In his seasons there, under his leadership, they played in a much more positive style, collecting a host of trophies. Much in a similar way like the Yorkshire Committee packed off Raymond Illingworth to achieve success with Leicestershire from 1969 to 1978! However, after Viv left, one of the Brian's switched on his tape recorder, while the other one produced his scorecards and a most interesting dialogue took place. I was able to sit back and relax, no need for me to take notes, for the two Brian's are very well organised in their love of cricket. Brian outlined his early experiences in the Airedale & Wharfedale League, where at the age of 14 he had faced the great Bill Bowes, back from his years in an Italian POW camp. At this stage I remembered meeting Bill in Bleach Mill Lane, Menston. He lived next door to my Uncle Jack and Bill, such a kind man, he gently bowled a tennis ball to me. Brian W then confessed that although his heart was always linked to Sheffield, he had been educated far away in Reading. At school he had been teased about his love for Yorkshire and never sought to hide his great admiration for Brian Close. Growing up, he had never dreamt that one day he would not only meet his hero, but also now find himself sitting in the lounge of his home. Brian S prompted him to recall some of the players he first met when he reported to Headingley: Ted Lester, Norman Yardley, Vic Wilson and of course Len Hutton (although later, on the tour to Australia he hardly spoke to him, about anything). With Brian’s scorecards he spoke about his teammates in the Yorkshire Second Eleven when he made his debut at Worksop in 1948. Sadly, when he moved into the First Team, he took the place of Ellis Robinson, who moved to Somerset, acknowledging, his batting gave him the edge. National Service was on the horizon for him. Joining the Royal Signals involved a great deal of sport, especially cricket for the Regiment, the Army and Combined Services. It was while he was in the Army that he was chosen to go with MCC to Australia, on ‘special leave’. While on board the ship he learnt that 18 months of National Service had been extended to two years because of the Korean situation. That meant a return to the Royal Signals and Services cricket, rather than the first-class game, Brian S told us. In response to a question from Brian W, he recalled he was at Aireborough Grammar School with fellow county man, Bryan Stott. We had spoken to this ‘other Brian’ and he remembered the time you had to play two matches in the same day. School first team in the morning, then dash off to play for Leeds United in The Midland League in the afternoon. Brian batting (he made 65 in the first innings) in the Players v Gentlemen match at Lord’s, July 1949. Billy Griffith is the wicket-keeper.