Home Hotel Contact Shop Vacancies Concerts Dots Search Newsletter Ticket Ticket alternative Skip to main content
Menu
Lancashire Cricket Club
Scorecard Archive
Lancashire player number 3 - Iddison, Roger
by Don Ambrose


Player:R Iddison

Lancashire 1865-70
Born 15.9.1834 Bedale, Yorkshire.
Died 19.3.1890 York, Yorkshire.

Brother of William Holdsworth Iddison (Lancashire 1867-68).

He was 5ft.8 inches tall and weighed between 11stone 6 lbs and 13 stone. A middle order, stubborn, right-hand batsman and initially a right-hand fast round-arm bowler, later changing to slow underhand lobs. He usually fielded at point where he made many fine catches.

A butcher by trade (R.S.Holmes said that he looked it!), he accepted a number of professional engagements. Stockton-on-Tees, Marlborough College (two seasons), Ipswich, Thirsk, West Hartlepool, Richmond (Yorkshire) and Broughton (Manchester) 1859-61, where he lived in the pavilion, acting as groundsman, and , in partnership with his brother, ran a sports shop in Manchester. He toured Australia with H.H.Stephenson's team in 1861-62.

Avertisement in Cricketers' and Sporting News and Volunteer and Athletic Gazette 6.8.1867.

CRICKET! CRICKET! CRICKET!
ROGER IDDISON & CO. have the largest and
best-selected STOCK in the North of England, com-
prising Bats, Balls, Leg Guards, Gloves, Stumps, Shirts,
Flannels, Belts, Caps, Bags, Nets, Marquees, and every
other article connected with athletic sports.
A liberal Discout allowed to Clubs, Colleges, and
Schools.
Wholesale and Retail Depot, 12, CORPORATION-
STREET, Manchester.
N.B. MARQUEES and TENTS let out ON HIRE.

He was professional at Whalley 1863-65, when he lived at Little Moor, Clitheroe. On 22nd September 1865, a grand benefit match was played at Whalley for his benefit between the Gentlemen and Players of Lancashire.

For 1867 and 1868 he was engaged at Sefton Club, Liverpool, where a copy of the letter from the club secretary offering him the position at £5 per week was framed and hung on the pavilion wall for many years until lost in a fire. He also coached at Uppingham (1866) and Harrow (1871-72).

He played for, and captained, both Lancashire and Yorkshire, favouring Yorkshire in the Roses Matches. On 29th to 31st July 1872, at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, the match between Yorkshire and Gloucestershire was played for his benefit and was attended by 17,000 spectators over the three days.

He also played for the professional touring sides, playing in many matches against odds.

On 13th June 1867, playing for the United All England XI against Twenty-two of Wigan, bowling lobs, he took five wickets in six consecutive balls.

He, and George Freeman, formed the United North of England Eleven, of which he was joint secretary. An atute business man, he was frequently at odds with the county committee as he tried to balance his numerous obligations. When he eventually moved to York in 1869, he at first travelled for James Wise of Malton, manure merchant. He later set up as commission agent and auctioneer, latterly in partnership with his son-in-law, John Lane.

He also ran a shop for cricketing supplies in Blake Street, York.

He died at the early age of 55 of diabetes complicated by consumption.


(Article: Copyright © 2004 Don Ambrose)

Copyright © 2003-2024 Lancashire CCC and CricketArchive

ICCC
Search the site