Lives in Cricket No 25 - Tom Richardson

48 Commonside, Mitcham Sept 4 1895 I feel I can safely leave my interests in your hands … I shall therefore for the future consider Surrey to have the first call on my services no matter how flattering any offer is that may be held out to me. 107 At the end of that season, Richardson married and moved to Thames Ditton, living in Angel Road. The exact location has not been identified, as houses which carried names at the time have subsequently been numbered; but wherever it was, if it was not exactly spitting distance from, it was certainly adjacent to and within easy walking distance of Giggs Hill Green, the home of Thames Ditton Cricket Club and The Angel public house at the end of the road which served as the Club’s headquarters and venue for its dinners and concerts. Like Mitcham, its major rival, it was a nursery for the county club and among a number of distinguished players who represented Thames Ditton are Tom Hayward, Bill Brockwell, Len Braund, Bill Lockwood, Maurice Read and John Sharpe. Tom Richardson’s name could now be added to that list. George Ayres, who had made his first-class début for Surrey in the same year as Tom and had been a witness at his wedding and probably best man, was doubtless instrumental in persuading the fast bowler, now at the height of his career, to switch his allegiance from Mitcham to their rivals whose ground was conveniently situated at the end of the road in which he had made his new home. He turned out when his county commitments allowed it, served on the club committee and had plenty to say. He was also on the ground committee and at times helped with the preparation of the club’s pitches. 108 107 Surrey C C C minutes 5 September 1895 108 Ashton, Thames Ditton Cricket Club 1895...Annus Mirabilis...Surrey Marriage certificate.