In My Mind's Eye Number 2: William Chatterton (1861-1913)

On the basis of contemporary accounts, William Chatterton must have been one of the most graceful batsmen to represent Derbyshire, as well as being one of the most loyal.

Indeed, when the history of Derbyshire cricket is considered, there is strong argument that he, with George Davidson, were the main reasons that the club regained and retained first-class status in 1894, having been demoted in 1888 for poor results.

A batting average of 25, to modern eyes is indicative of a player of only modest talent. Yet Chatterton, or 'Chatty' as he was known, made many of his on poor, uncovered and under-prepared wickets. It was 'Fiddler' Walker, then groundsman at Trent Bridge, who started to top dress wickets with marl. The high clay content of this, rolled out, improved wickets considerably, The downside was that wickets at the ground became fast and true, high scores of up to 500 runs in a day not uncommon. Tellingly, when the quality of wicket improved, Chatterton's average went northwards too, although his sound defence, noted in reports of the time, enabled him to score more runs on awkward tracks than many of his contemporaries.

Born at Birch Vale in the High Peak, he made his first appearance for the County Colts in 1885 but took two or three seasons before returning any figures of note. Indeed, his slow round-arm bowling looked the best of his game at that time and he continued to bowl throughout his career, taking 208 wickets at an average of 21 in first-class cricket. He was also a reliable slip fielder in an era when fielding ability was not necessarily commonplace.

His batting gradually developed, however, as he became known as one of the game's stylists. In 1889 he averaged nearly 29 with the bat and 16 with the ball, this after a couple of seasons when ill-health prevented him from showing his best form. With Derbyshire demoted at this time, fixtures were limited, though a fine season in 1891 saw him invited to go on tour with an England eleven to South Africa. He played in one Test match, scoring 48 in his only innings, yet made over 950 runs on the tour, easily heading the averages. He would have passed the thousand-run mark, but for illness again ruling him out of several matches.

Commentators waxed lyrical at his sound defence and technique, while his stroke play, when he chose to unfurl it, was 'a delight'. Reports confirm several offers to play for a first-class county around this time, but he declined them all. There was also an offer to spend three winters in Kimberley, South Africa, for  a sum of one thousand pounds and 'perquisites', but Chatterton again declined the offer, as a condition was that he become a permanent resident there.

He returned to England and a celebration dinner at The Old Bell Hotel in Derby, where his admirers entertained him and presented him with a cheque for £160, referring to him as 'the great standby' of the county eleven. He in turn said that he had no interest in playing for anyone but Derbyshire, and saw only good times ahead for the county.

The club's return to first-class status saw his form blossom still further and an average of over 40 in 1896 was his best. 'No batsman has ever had a more graceful style' wrote one onlooker 'and when he has played himself in he is one of the most attractive batsmen that ever took guard. He is a master of many strokes and to be trusted anywhere in the field'. He made several appearances for the Players against the Gentlemen and was regarded as unfortunate that no further invitation came to play for his country.

He again passed a thousand runs in 1901, but his form deserted him in 1902 and he was released by the county. Ill-health returned to dog him and the man who had been talented at both rugby and football (he played a few games for Derby County) was a shadow of his former self.

He returned to his father's home at Flowery Field, near Hyde and died of tuberculosis on March 19, 1913.

Perhaps accepting that offer in South Africa might have helped to prolong his life, but William was Derbyshire through and through. Plenty of other batsmen have exceeded his near eleven thousand runs for the club, but his skill and loyalty at a time when they were both badly needed helped to establish the county in first-class cricket.

We were very lucky to have him.

(Image sourced courtesy of David Griffin at the Derbyshire CCC Archive)

NB for some reason this piece never published a couple of winters ago, so I thought it time for it to see the light of day