Cricket Witness No 3 - The Daffodil Blooms

26 A new dawn? knew only too well about Frank’s reputation for heavy drinking and a tendency to fly off the handle if he did not get his own way. Aware that the Welsh county were looking to bolster their attack, Tayler advised him instead to approach another old friend, Jack Nash, who was the groundsman-professional at Cardiff. Frank heeded the advice and headed off by foot for South Wales, eventually arriving a couple of days later at the Arms Park, where Nash and his son were marking out a pitch for Cardiff’s next fixture. His old pal did not immediately recognise Frank as by now he was in a quite dishevelled state, but after realising that the apparent tramp was the former Hampshire spinner, Jack listened to his story about looking for new employment. After offering him the use of the baths in the lofty changing rooms, Jack also gave him a decent meal and even placed a few notes in his back pocket, before waving him on his way to Swansea where Glamorgan were playing. Fortified by this kindness, Frank continued his journey by foot, and walked through torrential rain, before arriving at the St. Helen’s ground, soaked through to the skin. His efforts though were well worth it, as Nash had tipped off his friends in Swansea that the spinner was on his way. After a brief chat with the county’s officials, Frank agreed to qualify for the Welsh county, Frank Ryan as seen at Hove in 1925.