Lives in Cricket No 46 - George Raikes

76 note 12: This was evidenced by the fact that England selected only two amateur custodians after Raikes retired. Bert Coleman (of Dulwich Hamlet) played in one game in 1921 (against Wales) whilst Howard Baker (aka Benjamin Howard-Baker) played once in 1921 (against Belgium in an end-of season tour match) and once in 1925 (against Ireland). Unlike Raikes, neither was selected to play against Scotland, the most prestigious fixture, and neither was given an extended run in the team. Further, Baker, although an amateur, could not be described as part-time footballer - his duties (or lack of duties) for the family firm enabled him to turn out as often as any paid player; he featured in 210 (!) matches for the Corinthians over a decade and represented various professional clubs (Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea - 92 league matches in five years, Everton (again) and Oldham Athletic). So, even if Raikes was not absolutely the final amateur custodian, he was the last to play a full season of Home Internationals. note 13: Amateur cricket as a whole was regarded by many as the ideal sport for the developing sportsman, as this quote from H.Roxborough, writing from a Canadian viewpoint, makes clear. “It is hard to conceive of a game which could be more useful in the training of our boys than cricket. What other game calls into use such a combination of mental and moral attributes or a greater degree of physical courage and skill? What other game so frowns upon the weaknesses and littleness of human nature, so elevates the better thoughts and instincts, so stimulates honourable rivalry, so cements friendships, so trains the qualities of mind and body that make a man worth being and life worth living?” note 14: For instance, when Norfolk found themselves without a credible bowling attack in 1901, they responded by hiring two professional bowlers and withdrawing from the Minor Counties Championship for two years until their new signings had qualified to play for the county by residence. Further, when the second elevens of several first-class counties participated in the Championship, it was not unknown for them to field sides almost entirely composed of professionals, and even Staffordshire, a bona fide ‘second- class’ county, frequently turned out with a mix of roughly half amateurs and half paid men. note 15: Rob Cavallini reports that Raikes was elected to the committee of The Casuals in September 1896, apparently serving whilst studying at Wells Theological College, but his playing days at the top level were definitely over. note 16: This is almost certainly the same White Company for whom Raikes appeared as a footballer. There are also references in the local press to the Red Company, the Grey Company and the Blue Company. The Curate of Portsea; Was Raikes A Muscular Christian?