Lives in Cricket No 19 - Frank Sugg

Chapter Ten Frank’s Business Career In the burgeoning laissez-faire economy of late Victorian England, it was easy to set up in business, especially in retailing. The explosion of interest and participation in organised sports such as cricket, football, tennis and hockey, and the increase in leisure time in which to enjoy such pursuits as cycling, rambling and angling offered ample opportunities to a retailer of sports equipment and clothing. Not surprisingly, in the 1880s and 1890s it became common for well-known sportsmen to use their reputations to found a sports business. In cricket, Richard Daft, William Gunn, Arthur Shrewsbury and Alfred Shaw were notable examples. Frank Sugg was one of a number of Lancashire professionals to go into the retail business at this time. Others included Alec Watson and Johnny Briggs, in partnership with Richard Pilling and then with his widow, in Manchester; Albert Ward in Bolton; George Baker in Bury; and Dickie Barlow in Blackpool. 100 Frank Sugg established his sports goods and outfitter business in 1888 in Liverpool in partnership with his brother Walter, initially at 27 Whitechapel. According to Walter, 101 it was A.G.Steel who suggested the venture to the brothers during a match against H.B.Steel’s XI at Birkdale, near Southport, the brothers both being members of Birkdale Cricket Club at the time. A second Liverpool branch of the business soon followed at 32 Lord Street, more impressive premises than the Suggs’ original shop. In its early days the business was an unincorporated 103 Frank Sugg in 1896, established in his business career, almost looking the part. 100 Ric Sissons, op.cit ., p 142. 101 Cricket , 23 April 1896.