Lives in Cricket No 25 - Tom Richardson

90 The Twilight’s Last Gleaming again. This time there was no revolution: It was decided to give Richardson £50 instead of £100 as before. 214 Letter read from Richardson accepting the reduction to £50 in his winter wages but expressing the hope that the committee would again grant him £100 next year. 215 1904 The end was now in sight. Tom played in only four Championship matches that season, then lost his place in the side and played a couple of matches for London County against Leicestershire and the touring South Africans. When it came to contract negotiations, his position was not a strong one: It was decided to give Richardson fifty pounds to be a final payment if he would not accept a summer engagement only. 216 He wouldn’t. The following letter from T.Richardson was read: Dear Sir I am obliged for your letter of the 18 th October and must also express my thanks for the winter pay which the Committee has been good enough to grant me. I am sorry that the committee could not see their way to accept the terms I offered at our personal interview and sincerely regret having to sever my connection with the SCCC which I need hardly assure you will have my heartiest good wishes and command my keenest interest. The expression of the committee’s good feeling towards me I esteem very much and I shall ever remember the kindly interest always extended to me by the members and yourself. Yours obediently T.Richardson. 214 Surrey CCC minutes 3 September 1903 215 Surrey CCC minutes 19 November 1903 216 Surrey CCC minutes 12 September 1904 Plaque commemorating opening of Mitcham Cricket Club’s new pavilion in 1904.