Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

40 Raikes the International ‘Keeper’ Raikes was able to accept the Corinthians’ invitation to participate in their Christmas tour. He played in victories over Leicester Fosse (2-1), Sheffield United (7-3), Dundee Wanderers (6-3) and Queen’s Park (3-2) before having to be content with a goalless draw with St Bernards, the Edinburgh club. He received splendid notices in the last two matches; against Queen’s Park his saves, witnessed by a crowd of over 10,000, were described as being ‘brilliant in the extreme’ whilst, in the game against St Bernards, Raikes again ‘saved the day’. There followed a lengthy hiatus induced by heavy snow which was doubly ill-timed in that Raikes had “ consented to assist the Wymondhamites at the Earlham Road ground [in Norwich] on Saturday … The occasions upon which Norfolcians are given an opportunity of seeing the famous Oxford Corinthian goalkeeper perform are now so rare”. Alas, the snow was so widespread that not a single minute’s play was seen in the whole of Norfolk on that Saturday. Given some unexpected time on their hands, Norfolk’s administrators busied themselves in dealing with the thorny subject of eligibility for its cup competitions. The Eastern Daily Press summarised. “At one time or another Raikes has been declared eligible for the Diss, Wymondham, Thorpe and CEYMS clubs … The rule says that ‘any person born or residing beyond the five-mile radius must play for the club entering whose ground is nearest his birthplace or residence.’ There is a lot of talk about measuring as the crow flies, and taking the dressing-room or committee- room as a starting point, but if I remember rightly, the point was thrashed out in committee some years ago, when it was agreed to take the distance by the main roads from home to ground … Raikes lives at … Hedenham A match card showing Raikes playing in goal for the Casuals against Sunderland on 16th October, 1894. The Casuals won 4-3, with Raikes receiving very favourable notices in The Times.