Old boys took on youths at school in cricket clash
Eric Ruston puts names to the faces of some of the cricketers on this 1949 picture taken at Wolstanton Grammar School. He talks to Jenny Amphlett
This rather impressive-looking line-up was taken at Wolstanton Grammar School in 1949.
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Eric Ruston's photograph
Shot by a Sentinel photographer, it was sent in by Way We Were reader Eric Ruston of Littleover, Derby, who is in the line-up himself.
It was taken on the occasion of a cricket match between an old boys' team and the school's first XI of the day.
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A fresh-faced 15-year-old at the time, Eric, now aged 79 years, enjoyed a slice of the action.
He says: "I thought it might be of interest to your readers and my suggestion for a headline would be 'Has beens versus the never was'.
"Although I cannot remember who I met yesterday, some names on the photo come to mind."
The headmaster, Mr Marples, is standing on the front row wearing dark trousers and a white jacket.
Next to him is Sam Hand, who was the school's cricket captain.
The four boys behind the headmaster include Eric himself, John Taylor, Terry Ellams and Phil Simms.
The four directly behind that are Ken Hancock, Phil Secombe, Brian Tatton and K Griffiths.
The faces on the back row include B Tipping and Mick Elsmore who, Eric recalls, represented Staffordshire in Minor Counties Cricket.
Eric says there are three teachers on the picture, including Mr Holland, the tall cricketer on the front row. Mr White and Mr Bullough are both further back and to the right.
"I don't remember the photograph being taken and don't remember much about the day itself," says Eric.
"I don't even recall the result, but perhaps some of your readers may know and may be able to help."
Eric says that several of the young players featured continued their cricketing career after leaving school.
"I think Terry Ellams played for Silverdale and I played for The Michelin."
Eric continued to play cricket until he moved away from the Potteries in 1966.
He adds: "I'm not still in touch with any of the boys and, rather sadly, I do know that one of two of them have died. If any of them are still around and read this then it would be quite nice to hear from them.
"This photograph has always been in our family and it reminds me of wonderful cricket-playing days."
Do you recognise any of the faces on the photograph, or would you like to share your memories of playing schoolboy cricket? Write to Jenny Amphlett, including your full name, address and telephone number, at Features Desk, The Sentinel, Forge Lane, Etruria, or email waywewere@thesentinel.co.uk.
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