Lives in Cricket No 18 - FR Foster

received a gift to mark the closure of his 24-year career. The local press described the celebrations: The Warwickshire eleven were entertained at dinner in recognition of their success in winning the championship. The Earl of Warwick presided and among those who assembled to honour the victorious team were Viscount Cobham, the Mayors of Warwick, Coventry and Sutton Coldfield and Messrs G.L.Jessop, G.A.T.Vials, J.Shields, M.C.Bird, L.C.Docker, H.W.Bainbridge, F.S.Goodwin, W.Ansell, G.Howard Cartland, H.O.Whitby, J.F.Byrne, J.A.H.Catton, C.Stewart Caine, S.H. Pardon, G.J.Groves, J.N.Pentelow, and F.S.Ashley-Cooper. Many unable to be present sent messages of congratulation. The toast ‘The Club’ was proposed by Lord Cobham, who referred to the connection and rivalry between Warwickshire and Worcestershire. ‘What I like to see,’ said his Lordship, ‘is a good, dense ring of partisans. I like to see the better side win, when it is my own side.’ (Laughter) After remarking it is important the County Championship continue, he congratulated Warwickshire on the splendid side they had put into the field. The team had been electrified by Mr Foster, who always tried to bowl the best ball he could and did not allow ‘half-wide’ off balls to go unpunished. Finally Lord Cobham paid tribute to Mr Cartland’s labours on behalf of the club. Mr Cartland, on replying to the toast, asked why Warwickshire had not been champions before. The success of the side had provoked criticism; but Warwickshire did not make the rules, they agreed to them. However they had made a suggestion that every county should play all the others at least once in a season. G.L.Jessop was entrusted with the toast of the Warwickshire cricket eleven. He said even had they not won the championship they would still have deservedly stood out as team of the season. (Applause) They played the game in a live and truly sporting spirit. Mr Frank Foster, the outstanding figure, proved himself a captain of ready resource and with a useful knowledge of the numismatic bodies in their correct relation to gravity and a great all-round cricketer. Everyone hoped rumour was false and that Mr Foster would continue to lead the county for many years to come. (Applause). After referring to the fine performances of several players he finally congratulated Warwickshire on rising from the posterior position in 1910 to the ‘Fosterior’ position they now enjoyed. Foster, it was reported was accorded ‘a remarkable reception’ on rising to respond and said it would be idle to pretend he was not delighted that the champion county was Warwicks. He spoke appreciatively of the way his team had supported him; how Field had taken a record number of wickets – and made nearly as many runs? (Laughter); how Kinneir had made the highest-ever score; how Quaife had stopped the rot on many occasions, and so on. Tell Kent from me she hath lost 49