• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Primary School Cricket

C

christopher short

Birmingham Post
During the summers of 1958/59 I played in the Yew Tree Junior School cricket team. We had early evening and Saturday morning games against schools such as Upper Thomas St.; Elkington St; Gower St; Alma St and others.
The matches were one inning affairs played on pitches in places like Perry Hall Park, Perry Park, Grove Lane. Our teachers acted as umpires and scorers at the same time - not a difficult feat really, the innings never lasted long!
I would be delighted to hear from anyone that played in those games from whatever school.
 
Hello there, Christopher,
I missed this post in August - away with the family on holiday - and although I never played for or against any of the school teams you mention, I did play wicketkeeper for Bordesley Green Primary for two seasons during the summer terms of precisely the same two years as you, i.e., 1958 and 1959.

View attachment 71611

Our trainer wasn't a teacher but an elderly cricketing gentleman who lived on Bordesley Green near the school called Mr Lowe. One day he took me aside and said he thought people at the County Ground may be interested in my 'keeping ability. I rushed home to tell my Mum I was to go for a trial at Edgbaston, and that I had to take a box ??!?
I remember Mum turning her head from the spuds she was peeling and saying, "Well done, David. How big must the box be?"
We are not a cricketing family.
The gentleman in the photograph was a teacher; his name is Mr Allen.
Regards, David
 
Last edited:
I hated cricket at school and was useless at it but had my one and only claim to fame whilst at school I was always last to be chosen for my side and was always sent to the boundry, one day John Sampson the all school boy hero who did everything well and was the school hero hit a blinding 6 straight at me everyone shouted to catch it I closed my eyes and held my hand up and low and behold cought it and held it , he was out for a duck first time ever the boys carried me shoulder high and sang my praises for days (although I could'nt feel my hand for about 48hrs),even the girls started to take notice of me, he of course shot daggers at me every time we met.
paul stacey
 
I played cricket for Leigh Rd juniors late 50s. I don't seem to remember it being a very organised affair like soccer was but we did play other school teams. Yes, life can be pleasent after making a good play or scoring a 100....not...maybe 9 ot 10. The masters did all of the organising work. Funny thing, catching a cricket ball. You would think that it would hurt if it is coming at you hard and fast but if you catch it just right it does not seem to. Just right being the operative words. I don't seem to be able to visualize the game being played in coloured outfits though. Does not seem right to me.
 
Great story David, I think we could start a thread about "Mother's misunderstandings", I'll tell you one about the Isles of Scilly !

Thanks for the replies. I am suprised that there have not been more because I think Primary School cricket was flourishing way back then. I guess that today teachers have neither the time or money and of course there will be "elf & safety" issues - cricket balls are hard !

By7 the way David, how did the trial go ?
 
I played for Turfpits Lane around that time before starting at Stockland Greeen in 1960. There were two leagues in the Erdington district in those days and the winners of each league would meet in the final, usually at Spring Lane playiing fields. I can't remember many of the school names, but Yenton, Paget and Gunter Road ring a bell. Gunter were always good at both football and cricket in those days
 
Christopher,
Thanks ever-so-much for asking ........ it was one of those cases of "Well, errr, we'll let you know ......". But they never bothered ...... D.
 
chris i lived in holte in 50' 40's iplayed cricket and football for the school teachers name was mr thomas the years iplayed must have 54/55 i was wicket keeper i also played football for the school before going to birchfield road and am pleased to say 4members of that football team from yew tree were in a very good team there jharris
 
Johnnyharris,
Mr. Thomas was my first teacher at Yew Tree in class 7 when I came up from the infants.
I was also the wicket keeper. The teacher that looked after cricket in 58/59 was the one and only Mr. Liggins
 
Johnny,

Lived in Deykin Avenue Witton.
If you look up Friends Reunited, Yew Tree School, you will find a number of class and sports photos that I have managed to identify quite a few kids. There is even a photo of Mr. Thomas. Let me know.

As you were a wicket keeper as I was, we probably wore the same pads and gloves - spooky.
 
chris thanks your reply will look up on friends when i can and come back to you my friend and team mate from yew tree came from deakin ave his name was ray flint he went deakin ave school iwent birchfield road we lost contact jharris
 
I played cricket for leigh road seniors in 1957
players were bartholomew,moore adkins, hooper ,newton,eden taylor wright and myself reg morris.
The headmaster mr rothera used to train us
 
Hi Redhill road Hay Mills was my school, i played cricket for them 1953-54 I can only remember playing three games though and I think we won them all. I think it was Mr Mason who ran the team, he was involved in most of the sports in my time at that school.
 
I played for Erdington Hall Junior School in 1956. We played in Jaffrey Road playing fields, I vaguely remember
Achieving 7wickets for 11 runs which should have been 8 wits but the ball was travelling so slow it didn’t knock
the bails off the Stumps.
 
I played for Slade Road Juniors a little later 1966 and 1967, I think. We played in a schools knock-out competition at Pype Hayes Park and reached the final only to be beaten by the school from across the road (Yenton). I remember that I fielded at silly mid on (my own choice :eek:), as I always wanted to be involved in the game, whatever the risk back then;). I've always loved the game, both watching and playing. Great memories of those days spent on the cricket fields and of playing in the back garden with my Dad.
 
christopher short said:
During the summers of 1958/59 I played in the Yew Tree Junior School cricket team. We had early evening and Saturday morning games against schools such as Upper Thomas St.; Elkington St; Gower St; Alma St and others.
The matches were one inning affairs played on pitches in places like Perry Hall Park, Perry Park, Grove Lane. Our teachers acted as umpires and scorers at the same time - not a difficult feat really, the innings never lasted long!
I would be delighted to hear from anyone that played in those games from whatever school.
Click to expand...
 
I attended William Cowper school around that time .I also played cricket at places like that Perry Hall Park. Aston Park .Good old days
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top