Derbyshire Legends 12 - Sam Cadman (1877-1952)

There's a well known series of books by Tempus publishing which rejoices in the titles of "100 XXXX Cricket Greats". I've seen a few of them and the concept is a good one. I actually got as far as talking to the publishers a few years ago about doing one for Derbyshire. It fell down on the same premise that in my opinion the others do. True greatness is rare and while many aspire to it, in comparatively few is it realised.

This is very true for Derbyshire cricket. The true "greats" probably number 15-20 names. Players can achieve legendary status, rather than genuine greatness, for lesser feats of less longevity. Dean Jones and Mohammad Azharuddin achieved legendary feats, but were not here long enough to be genuine greats, whereas Gladwin and Jackson, in the context of Derbyshire cricket, were the real deal.

After that elaborate introduction, the name of Sam Cadman may not be one that many would consider great, while his playing feats were those of a solid county professional rather than an international star. A right hand batsman and medium pace bowler, his career spanned the years 1900-1926 and in common with many of that era he lost valuable years to the First World War.

Many were surprised to see him return after the global conflict but he continued to be a solid performer until he was 49. He made eight centuries for the county, together with 61 half centuries and returned a career average of 21. In addition, for many years he was a bowling mainstay, taking 807 wickets at 25 each. Solid, decent figures as befit the man. His greatest match was in 1920, when at the age of 43 his 8-70 and 6-34 in a match against Northamptonshire was still not enough to win the match for Derbyshire in their unsuccessful season. He became the county's oldest centurion in 1924 at the age of 47, by which time he had started to help with coaching.

He made just one appearance in 1926 but Cadman's greatest deeds were yet to come as he took over Derbyshire's fledgling nursery and EVERY professional in the Derbyshire Championship side of 1936 graduated under Cadman's expert tutelage. He was a fine all round coach, but especially of bowlers. Indeed, so great was his ability that he regularly undertook engagements in South Africa where he did sterling work.

He was a strict, some said gruff coach but was considered fair and the players spoke of how quickly he spotted the reason for a lapse of form and suggested tweaks to get them back on the right track. Perhaps he was fortunate that so many fine young players came together at the same time, but the counter-argument is that he spotted many of them himself with a keen eye.

"Play every ball on its merits" and "Cricket's a great leveller" were his two favourite sayings, ensuring that his charges didn't get carried away with themselves. He remained coach until the outbreak of the Second World War, when he retired to Glossop, dying there in 1952. He remained interested in the game until near the end, umpiring matches and making an unbeaten 17 for the Glossop 2nd XI at the age of 70.

By any stretch of the imagination Sam Cadman's contribution to Derbyshire cricket was considerable. The club followers owe him a considerable debt and without his skills the most momentous event in the club history may well not have happened. Can any man have a greater epitaph?