The Twelfth Man 2018

30 In Sunshine and in Shadow Fairfield Books Price £16 WHEN Geoff Cope was 17 his mother said to him: “I want you to go out and find a job. If your cricket comes well, all well and well if it dosen’t you’ve got something to fall back on.” She told Geoff this after he found out that he wouldn’t make it as a footballer because of his eyesight and he was throwing his lot in with Yorkshire. At the time Geoff didn’t thank his mum for those words, throughout his cricket career those words played an important part and I think his one regret is never been able to tell her that she was right. Geoff was an only child, a good job he was because the Cope household would became very crowded. First his granddad on his father’s side came to live and he was soon joined by Geoff’s mother’s mum. He would play football and cricket with his mates in an area of grass which was the best pitch they could find. He soon played for his school at both football and cricket, had trials with both Yorkshire and Leeds United. Stephen Chalke’s biography describes Geoff’ first meeting with Both and Arthur Mitchell and explains why Mitchell treated his young charges as he did. After taking his mum’s advice Geoff got a job in the paper trade. Geoff’s opportunities with Yorkshire came first when Ray Illingworth was selected for England. He became the first choice off-spinner for Yorkshire when Yorkshire declined to give Illingworth a contract and joined Leicestershire. When his bowling action first came under investigation Geoff had his first cause to thank his mum for her words. Another time was in 1971 when he was suspended from the game. Wonderering how he could put his action right his was put in touch with Johnny Wardle by Fred Trueman. The relations between Geoff and Wardle blossomed from a coach/ player into a father/son relationship. So much so that Geoff even today calls him Dad. The third time was after he played for England in Pakistan and nearly took a hat trick on his debut. Then he was suspended again, and again turned to Wardle. The fourth time was when he was sacked by Yorkshire and played minor counties cricket with Lincolnshire.