Lives in Cricet No 33 - Jack Robertson and Syd Brown

96 End of an Era giving local people the chance to see their heroes at close quarters, and hopefully generate a tidy sum through collections and the purchase of raffle tickets for prizes donated by local businesses. 133 Jack’s first match was against Winchmore Hill, followed by a trip to Stanmore to play on the Common, where in front of a large crowd E.M.Wellings top-scored for the home side with 21. 134 The highlight, however, was probably the next match which saw Jack return home to play for a Middlesex side including Learie Constantine against Turnham Green and District in the grounds of Chiswick House, a popular venue for benefit matches. The match was held as one of the last events of the Brentford and Chiswick Festival and attracted a crowd that ‘reached record proportions’. 133 Jack had a second benefit in 1959. First prize in the Grand Raffle was a Ford Popular car. There were many other prizes, including a week’s holiday at Butlin’s, tickets for major sporting events, and a Hoover steam iron. 134 The Harrow Observer quaintly reported that ‘Wickets will be pitched at 11.30’. Sunday benefit matches could be quite relaxing. Jack and Syd with Don Bennett and John Murray on the left, Les Compton and Don Bick on the right.