Bert Richardson

With the passing of Bert Richardson, Derbyshire cricket has lost one of its few remaining 1950s players.

Indeed, from the fine team that started that decade, only Edwin Smith remains, thankfully still in good health as a conversation this week confirmed. Harold Rhodes is still with us too, as are Keith Mohan and Peter Eyre, but many of those heroes are long gone, but not forgotten.

Bert Richardson was not a regular in the Derbyshire side, but he played 27 first-class matches between 1950 and 1953, with a best score of 29. He was an orthodox slow left arm bowler and took 33 wickets, with a best of 4-39 against Hampshire. The advent of Edwin Smith in 1951 saw his opportunities dwindle and he drifted from the county game two years later.

He was a regular at former players events for many years, but had been in poor health for some time. I had hoped to interview him for my second book, but it proved to be impossible. 

He was the earliest surviving county debutant, a mantle that now passes to Edwin Smith.

Rest In Peace, Bert.