A Game Sustained

143 A wonderful relief: 1919 As another sign that the county club felt the need to cultivate relations with the players, Lord Hawke and F.C.Toone arranged to meet with them to explain the club’s offer which included that £1,000 was guaranteed for ten years’ service and £250 for five years. 99 For a while the club also decided to leave unresolved the question of fees for 1920 in the hope that the ‘six big counties’ (Yorkshire, Lancashire, Middlesex, Surrey, Nottinghamshire and Kent) would agree a uniform rate. Subsequently, regular (capped) players were awarded £8 per home game and £10 per away game, with railway fares also paid by the committee. Ground pay was also given to cover practices, so that a regular player could earn £322 if he played in all 28 county matches. Win and talent money was extra, and there was winter pay of £64. For casual players, the sums were lower, and they had to pay their own rail fares. 100 Yorkshire was facing up to the realities of post- war economics. Club cricket in 1919 Although much club cricket had continued throughout the war, there was nevertheless a considerable sense of renewal as the 1919 season started. For many more people it was now acceptable to participate in and follow sports, and the local press was full of news of the prospects of club sides. Much of it was very positive, although some reporters noted many clubs had to be ‘practically rebuilt; while unfortunately many clubs will have to find new grounds.’ The ever-enthusiastic J.J.Booth promised a ‘glorious season’ and many Bradford League clubs were full of optimism. Saltaire, captained by Sydney Barnes, was confident it had a strong side with the return of players from the services. Windhill welcomed back a former prisoner of war, as well as men who had seen service in the Navy and munitions. For Anlaby Cricket Club near Hull, the return of more soldiers allowed them to start again, and at the first dinner for four years at Ecclesfield Cricket Club, the club chairman expressed pleasure that so many members had returned to help revive the game in the village. Harrogate Cricket and Athletic Club welcomed back its players by printing a list of every member who had