A new book encapsulating the stories of 180 years’ worth of cricket at Bedford School has hit the shelves this July, with its author saying, “It’s been amazing to learn about the characters of this school, and the most enjoyable book I’ve ever written”.
When cricket archivist, Kevin Clement was tasked with compiling a historical take on 180 years of cricket at Bedford School at the end of 2023, he jumped at the opportunity to delve deep into the many stories that helped shape young men in the town.
With the backdrop of an academy match between Northamptonshire and Derbyshire playing on the plush lawns behind us, Kevin Clement spoke to the Bedford Independent about how the book came about, and its importance to an institution such as Bedford School.
“The first known game was against the Oakley Club in October 1845, and we found out about that thanks to an article in the Bedfordshire Times, who published the details in 1942”, says Kevin.
“We were able to trace it back and confirm that was indeed the first game at Bedford School, who have played at a variety of different grounds ever since.
“When people think of cricket books like this, they often think it’s full of stats but this one is not. I’d like to think its more about the people, the social history and about the town of Bedford.
“It’s got a profile of every captain at the School since 1862 and a profile of every one of the 58 first-class cricketers to have come out of Bedford School within the book, but it also has a lot about the ‘forgotten’ people of the school as well”.
One of those “forgotten” people is Sir Jack Hobbs – widely regarded as one of the best batsmen of all time having scored 199 first-class centuries – but was a man first employed by Bedford School as a 2nd team net bowler as part of his first ever professional contract.
It’s one of many “Wow!” moments throughout this book as you realise just how many well-known names from cricket history have set foot on the same turf that young first-class hopefuls from the county academy structure are playing on as we speak.
Kevin began researching and writing the book in December 2023, and says he knew “bits and pieces” about the school’s vast cricket history, but also uncovered some first-class cricketers that Bedford School themselves knew nothing of.
“Almost a quarter of the first-class players only ever played one game, and they also made their one and only appearance in India, so I imagine they were in the military and happened to be in the right place at the right time”, says Kevin.
“Researching the early years, from 1845 to 1877 was the most interesting part as those who wanted to get their story or scorecard published in a newspaper had to pay for the privilege, so I expect there were plenty of scorecards we don’t know about”.
There’s also the story of how a “fracas” between Bedford Grammar students and Bedford Commercial students (now Bedford School and Bedford Modern) took place at the end of Kimbolton Road over cricket training facilities, ending in a £5 fine for one student.
Intriguing snippets of history such as those are interspersed between profiles and stories of the centrepieces of this book however, and that is the people who made the School’s cricket heritage what it is today, ahead of their 2,300th match this season.
It encompasses the more modern names that local cricket fans will know such as former England captain, Sir Alastair Cook and Alex Wakely, who went on to captain Northamptonshire to the lesser-known likes of Frank Ryan and Harold Baumgartner.
You’ll have to find out why Baumgartner is a particularly interesting story for yourself, but this book is filled with similar intriguing tales of life for many at Bedford School with lives and names intertwining in fascinating ways.
‘180 Not Out’ was released on 4 July and is available to purchase via the NoLimitz website here or by contacting Kevin directly at kpaclement@yahoo.co.uk
