1925

The Committee Report

The Committee presents its Annual Report and Balance Sheet for 1925.

Season 1925 was in every way a great improvement on 1924. In only one case was a match spoiled by rain and in consequence the attendance showed a welcome increase and the gate receipts a gratifying rise of over £1,400.

Of the twenty-seven matches played, sixteen were won and three lost. Of the drawn games, one was won and six lost on the first innings and one had no result. Notts finished fourth in the list. Notts were very strong in batting and Mr. A. W. Carr’s batting stands out as a feature of the season. He scored 2,000 runs – the first Notts. Cricket to do so since the late Mr. A. O. Jones achieved the distinction 25 years ago. He had a wonderful season and made his record score of 206 against Leicestershire, scoring in all seven centuries and establishing himself as the leading Amateur batsman in England. His leadership in the field has been invaluable and his fielding has been an inspiration to the team.

Payton had a very good season and scored three centuries; Whysall three centuries and Walker with two centuries has justly earned him a regular place in the side. Altogether six of the team scored centuries and Lilley, who has succeeded Oates as wicket-keeper, scored over 1000 runs in his first season. John Gunn signalized his last season by a great innings of 160 against Hampshire when it was badly needed. He can look back with pride on a wonderful record, batting, bowling and fielding, with a claim to be considered the greatest all-round left-hander Notts. has ever produced.

The fact of the retirement of Tom Oates from his regular place in the side cannot be allowed to pass without mention of his great service to Notts. cricket. For 29 years he has kept wicket in his quiet, safe, effective way and his record for catching and stumping puts him in the very front of wicket-keepers.

The bowling has been greatly strengthened by the inclusion of Harold Larwood, a fast medium right-hand bowler from Nuncargate, who took 73 wickets in the last 20 matches at an average of 18 runs a wicket. Richmond and Staples each took one hundred wickets and Barrett ninety-six.

In the Minor Counties Competition the Second Eleven, Captained by Mr. Lionel Kirk, beat Lincolnshire and Leicestershire once, drew twice with Staffordshire and were beaten twice by Yorkshire and Lancashire and once by Leicestershire. Lilley made 200 not out against Staffordshire and J. F. Bishop 160 against Lincolnshire.
The Financial Statement is also more satisfactory and shows a small profit on the year’s working, but the balance shown is partly due to the fact that repairs and Ground expenses had been reduced to a minimum. The Membership is slightly lower than for the previous year.

The Australians’ visit is arousing great interest in this Country. As is well known, we have the honor of having the first Test Match at Trent Bridge on June 12^th, 14^th and 15^th, and we are preparing for a record crowd. To that end your Committee having gone very carefully into the matter, has sanctioned the erection of two open concrete stands on the popular side. The contract has been given to Messrs. Evans & Sons, of Bulwell, and work is already in progress. The estimated cost is £3,512. Various essential improvements and repairs on the Ground will entail the spending of approximately another £1,000.

A great improvement has been made by the erection of an entirely new entrance near the Trent Bridge Inn – the generous gift of the President, Major Philip A. Birkin and Mr. W. Eben Hardy.

During the last season the small scoring board was taken down and a new and entirely up-to-date one erected, through the generosity of Mr. Julien Cahn. Other improvements will include new turnstile entrances on Fox Road, and a new exit for motor cars on Hound Road, Your Committee considers that when these improvements are completed the Ground will be one of the best equipped in the country.

The Complimentary Benefit awarded to George Gunn, after deducting expenses, showed a net result of £948 4s 8d. This season your Committee has granted a benefit to Whysall, and he has chosen the Yorkshire Match on July 24^th, 26^th and 27^th. Whysall has been a very consistent batsman, fielder and reserve wicket keeper for many seasons, and last year he justified his inclusion in the England team that toured Australia. All sportsmen will wish him the best of luck in his benefit.

A Special Appeal was made by your Committee towards the reduction of the deficit on the Season 1924 resulted in a sum of £1,064 being raised. A spontaneous offer was made by the Committees of the Notts. County and Nottingham Forest Football Clubs to play a match early in the Football Season for the Benefit of the appeal fund. This was greatly accepted by your Committee and the match was played at Meadow Lane Ground in October and the sum of £210 will be handed over.

On Whit Sunday of last year a Memorial to Alfred Shaw was unveiled in the Gedling Church Yard by Mr. A. W. Carr in the presence of a very large attendance. The inscription on the stone is as follows; “Alfred Shaw, Born at Burton Joyce 29^th August 1842; Died at Gedling 16^th January 1907. A World-famed Cricketer who Captained Nottinghamshire, The Players and England. Erected by the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in memory of his personal qualities and past achievements.”

The President of the Club, Major Philip A. Birkin, made a generous donation of £100.
By order of the Committee,
        G. O. GAULD, Hon, Secretary.