Lives in Cricket No 19 - Frank Sugg

previously. Burgess and Heaton also made one joint attempt, intended as an experiment in mutual support, but the ebb tide proved too strong and the attempt had to be abandoned. Cross-Channel swimming was a keenly competitive business at the time with a prize of £1,000 for any successful swimmer. While this was a very large amount of money, attempts cost a considerable sum, including the cost of hiring the accompanying vessel(s) and the officials who would monitor the swimmer’s progress. It was the practice for the main contenders to set up camp at Dover and make an attempt every couple of days or so, depending on the weather and the tides, adding further to the expense. Frank was a powerful swimmer but there is no suggestion that he ever contemplated the ultimate test of swimming across the English Channel himself. His role was that of a back-up supporter. The comprehensive records of cross-Channel attempts maintained by the Dover Museum do not include the names of persons accompanying the swimmers, but one can find the names of some of the persons in boats accompanying the swimmers in some newspaper reports. For example, the Folkestone Chronicle issue of 29 July 1905 reports that ‘the Lancashire cricketer, Mr Frank Sugg’ was one of the party in the tug Guisno of London that accompanied Thomas Burgess on his unsuccessful attempt the previous day and that Ted Heaton was also in the accompanying party. Given Frank Sugg’s friendship with Ted Heaton in particular, it must be very likely that he accompanied one or other of Heaton and Burgess on other attempts. These were in no way joy-rides and Frank’s willingness to assist Channel swimmers in this way testifies to the keenness of his interest in the sport. 97 If long-distance swimming is among the more physically demanding of all sports, at the opposite end of the spectrum, so to speak, are the more gentle pursuits of bowls, billiards and rifle shooting. These sports were extremely popular in Victorian England as demonstrated by the considerable coverage they were given in the local newspapers. Frank enjoyed, and attained a good standard, in all three of them. They demand a high degree of eye and hand co-ordination and considerable powers of concentration – one aptitude which Frank did not always display at the crease in cricket. Away From Old Trafford 99 97 I am grateful to the Dover Museum for the information on cross-Channel swim attempts.