The Marylebone Club (formed in 1787)

PAST PRESIDENTS

1826	Charles Barnett, Esq.
1827	H. Kingscote, Esq.
1828	A. F. Greville, Esq.
1829	John Barnard, Esq.
1830	Hon. G. Ponsonby.
1831	W. Deeds, Esq.
1832	H. Howard, Esq.
1833	Herbert Jenner, Esq.
1834	Hon. H. Ashley.
1835	Lord C. Russell.
1836	Lord Suffield.
1837	Viscount Grimston.
1838	Marquis of Exeter.
1839	Earl of Chesterfield.
1840	Earl of Verulam.
1841	Earl Craven.
1842	Earl of March.
1843	Earl of Ducie.
1844	Sir John Bayley, Bart.
1845	Thos. Chamberlayne, Esq.
1846	Earl of Winterton.
1847	Earl of Strathmore.
1848	Earl of Leicester.
1849	Earl of Darnley.
1850	Lord Guernsey.
1851	Earl Stamford & Warrington
1852	Viscount Dupplin.
1853	Marquis of Worcester.
1854	Earl Vane.
1855	Earl of Uxbridge.
1856	Viscount Milton.
1857	Sir F. Bathurst, Bart.
1858	Lord Garlies.
1859	Earl of Coventry.
1860	Lord Skelmersdale.
1861	Earl Spencer.
1862	Earl of Sefton.
1863	Lord Suffield.
1864	Earl of Dudley.
1865	Lord Ebury.
1866	Earl of Sandwich.
1867	Earl of Verulam.
1868	Lord Methuen.
1869	Marquis of Lansdowne.
1870	J. H. Scourfield, Esq., M.P.
1871	Earl Of Clarendon.

PAST TREASURERS.
F. Ladbrooke, Esq.	H. Kingscote, Esq.	R. Kynaston, Esq.

PAST HON. SECRETARIES.
B. Aislabie, Esq.	R. Kynaston, Esq.	A. Baillie, Esq.

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THE MARYLEBONE CLUB IN 1872 .

Patron- H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES.

President- VISCOUNT DOWNE.

Treasurer- T. BURGOYNE, Esq.

Secretary- R. A. FITZGERALD, Esq.

Committee
• Trustees
  • Earl of Dudley, Earl of Sefton, Hon. F. Ponsonby, W. Nicholson, Esq., R. Broughton, Esq.,
• Earl of Clarendon, Earl of Verulam, Viscount Turnour, Hon. R. Grimston, Hon. S. Ponsonby, Major Denne, Lieut-Col. Parnell, H. W. Fellows, R. Forster, E. S. E. Hartopp, J. M. Heathcote, C. Marsham, H. Perkins, W. Pickering, E. W. Tritton, and V. E. Walker, Esqs.

Auditors- R. KYNASTON, G. D. PORCHER, and R. J. WARD, Esqs.

Number of Members-About 1800.

Assistant Secretary and Clerk to the Committee-Mr. J. MURDOCH.

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PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS ENGAGED AT LORD"S IN 1872

THOS. HEARNE (Captain), Wootton, Alfred Shaw, Royston, Biddulph, F. Farrands, Walter Price, T. H. Nixon, jun. (Notts), Howitt, Flanagan, John Smith, John West, R. Clayton, Rylott, Nixon (Cambs), and Barratt.

Ground Keeper-D. Jordan.

Size of Lord"s Ground-About 9 Acres.

The 85th ANNIVERSARY MEETING of the members of THE MARYLEBONE CLUB was held at Lord's Ground on Wednesday , May 1st, when a ballot took place, and the unprecedentedly large number of 90 new members were elected. Dinner was served in the new Tavern at 7.30 the same day, the President, The Right Hon. the Earl of CLARENDON, in the chair. What took place, after the removal of the cloth will be best told by the following graphic report taken from Bell's Life in London:- After dinner the usual loyal toasts were given, and cordially responded to, the PRESIDENT making special allusion to the late illness of H.R.H the Prince of Wales who, as patron of the M.C.C., had enlisted the sympathies and anxieties of the members during that trying period, his lordship adding that though uninitiated in the mysteries of medicine, he could recommend with confidence to H.R.H.'s medical advisers, as a thorough restoration, a gentle dose of cricket, to be taken weekly at Lord's.

The PRESIDENT then gave the toast of the evening, "CRICKET AND SUCCESS TO M.C.C." He alluded to the discussion that had taken place in respect to a reform in cricket, and believed he was expressing the sentiments of a large majority of cricketers, that no change was required. Cricket should stand upon its own merit. An occasional phenomenon would from time to time appear above the cricket horizon, but that was no valid reason why the whole terrestrial sphere of cricket should be disturbed. More attention should be paid to bowling and fielding, and if young players would only practise bowling, having regard to action, pace, and pitch, under the guidance of the best professional bowlers, the results would soon be apparent. His lordship expressed his regret at resigning office, but did so with satisfaction at the result of his year's duties. The club was in a highly flourishing state, the debt had been considerably diminished, and no better proof of its continued popularity could be given than that afforded by the election of this evening. He concluded, amidst much applause, by calling upon the Secretary to read the Annual Report of the Committee.

The SECRETARY then read the following report :-

The Committee beg to present their Annual Report to the members, and trust that the continued prosperity of the club may be regarded as satisfactory evidence of their strict attention to its interests. The annually increasing roll of members involves a proportionate increase of expenditure. The object of the Committee has always been to anticipate the demands, and, so far as possible, to satisfy the requirements of new members.

A considerable improvement has been effected in the Pavilion, which will give increased accommodation for dining, and a larger dressing room for players. Mr. Day having relinquished his occupation of the Tavern, the Committee have selected Mr. Crick as tenant, and from the high testimonials submitted by him, and from other sources, they have great confidence that the luncheon department in the Pavilion will be henceforth satisfactory. The season of 1871 was not propitious to cricket, but, notwithstanding the inclement weather, the pecuniary results of the season will bear comparison with other years. The experience of the last few years has convinced the Committee that so long as first-class cricket is encouraged at Lord's, the public will liberally support the game. The Committee have noticed a discussion that hits taken place during the winter, the subject being reform in cricket. Without entering into any argument, they wish to express an opinion generally, that when the game of cricket is conducted in the way and in the spirit that have always been maintained at Lord's no change is required. Punctuality to the published hours of play, less recourse to refreshment, and more attention to bowling and fielding, will do much to neutralise the so-termed ascendency of the bat over the ball. The prospects of the coming season are bright. Matches have been arranged with fifteen Colts of England, the counties of Yorkshire, Essex, Middlesex, Surrey, Stafford and Herts. The match appointed for the benefit of the M.C.C. Professional Fund on Whit Monday is North and South. The Club and Ground will be matched against the united strength of the South, and a new match has been arranged in which the combined talents of Yorkshire and Notts will contend against England.

The Universities and Public Schools will renew their annual contests. An addition to the long list of Colleges and Schools that appear annually at Lord's will be found in a match for the first time with Malvern College.

The Committee cannot dismiss this brief sketch of the prospects of 1872 without referring to the fine play of Mr. W. G. Grace in behalf of the club during the season of 1871. He contributed very largely to its success on several occasions, and they announce with satisfaction that he will take part in all the great matches of 1872. J. Grundy has resigned his post after 20 years in the service of the club. The Committee consider that his long and faithful services should be acknowledged by some special recognition, but not by a benefit match, as the club granted him the use of Lord's Ground for that purpose in 1862.

Hearne has been appointed head bowler, and the ground men for 1872 comprise, Hearne, Wootton, Shaw, Biddulph, Smith, Farrands, Price, Royston, Nixon, Flanagan, West, Clayton, Barratt, Howitt, H. Nixon, and Rylott.

The expenses of matches in 1872 amounted to £1,102 13s. l0d. The M.C.C. Benefit Fund now amounts to £558 17s. 11d., 265 new members were elected, of these 248 paid their entrance subscription. The club now numbers 1,569 members; 10 members have died and 17 resigned, 65 have been placed on the abroad list. Considerable expenditure will always arise from the periodical necessity of repainting and otherwise maintaining different portions of the club premises. Without neglecting these immediate wants, the Committee have not been unmindful of the outstanding debt. This amounted to £23,500 at the commencement of last season, and of this sum no less than £2,500 has been paid off. The subscriptions have been more regularly paid than heretofore, owing to the improved system of collection. A list of unpaid subscriptions will be hung up in the Pavilion, and defaulters will not be eligible for re-election until all arrears have been paid.

The gold Tennis prize was won by Mr. Heathcote, the silver prize was won by the Hon. C. G. Lyttelton, and Mr. A. J. Balfour won the Tennis handicap.

The tennis court and dressing-rooms have been placed in perfect order, and a series of grand matches took place, a special committee having been appointed to manage the same, the proceeds being given to the celebrated player, Mr. Barre. A sub-committee was appointed to revise the rules of tennis as played in the court at Lord's. These have been approved by the committee and ordered to be printed.

The Challenge Cup, presented by Mr. Fisk, was won by Mr. J. P. Ward. The following members retire by rotation from the committee, viz: Hon. C. Carnegie, Hon. C. G. Lyttelton, W. H. Dyke, and J. Round.

The Committee beg to recommend to fill the vacancies: The Right Hon. the Earl of Clarendon and Messrs. Forster, Heathcote, and Tritton.

The accounts will be printed and laid before the members; they have been carefully audited by Messrs. Kynaston, Porcher, and Ward, who offer themselves for re-election.

The Committee cannot conclude their report without alluding to the death of Mr. J. H. Dark, on Oct. 17, 1871. The negociations for the purchase of Lord's Ground are within the memory of all; the independence of the club on its own ground is now a matter of history; but it may be recorded here that the club in a great measure owes its present position to the fact that Mr. Dark resisted every temptation to surrender his valuable premises to the mercies of the builder. Mr. Dark's name is connected with the M.C.C. since the year 1804. He became the proprietor of Lord's Ground in 1836, and sold his property therein to the club in 1864. The Committee consider that a notice of his long services in the cause of cricket and the interest of the M.C.C. should find a place in the annals of the club. His nephew, Sidney Dark, died on Dec. 12 last, having filled the post of Assistant Secretary and Clerk to the Committee within a short time of his death.

In conclusion, the Committee see no reason to depart from the policy that has swayed their councils since they first assembled. The professional player will still be encouraged by a liberal recognition of his merits, and the exact observance on his part of those regulations which are in accordance with the legitimate objects of cricket will, as hitherto, be stoutly enforced. The kind support of the members is alone solicited to make the prospects of the coming season inferior in no respect to those that have preceded it.

Previous to the adoption of the report the following gentlemen were proposed and elected to fill the vacancies of Committee, viz, the Earl of Clarendon, R. Foster, H. M. Heathcote, and E. W. Tritton.

Mr. WILLOUGHBY addressed the meeting at considerable length, deprecating all intention that might be called revolutionary. He proceeded to animadvert upon the policy of the Committee in not preparing the club accounts of the past year in such a form that each member might criticise the various items of expenditure. He then proceeded to analyse the match list, and regretted to observe the reappearance of several matches that he could not but consider unworthy of so great a club. In his opinion first-class players only should be engaged at Lord's. He compared the profits of these second-rate matches with their attendant expenses, and submitted that they could not be defended in the face of the large debt and in the interests of good cricket. His old enemies, the police, were again on the list. He could only repeat his objection to such a match.

This attack upon the match list called up the SECRETARY, who defended the programme for the season with considerable vigour, maintaining that due support was given by the M.C.C. to first-class players, when the great demand upon them by rival grounds was taken into consideration. As to the particular class of matches that had raised the bile of Mr. Willoughby, the Secretary with some warmth maintained that the M.C.C. owed its present popularity to its endeavours to provide amusement for the rapidly-increasing list of members. The club ought not so much to look to profit from matches as to the good results of playing the game in a proper spirit. It was in a great measure due to the individual exertions of the members that the influence of the Marylebone Club was so generally acknowledged throughout the country. It was necessary to introduce a few novelties every season, and he confidently anticipated the satisfaction of the public generally with the bill of fare provided.

The TREASURER (Mr. Burgoyne) then replied to Mr. Willoughby on the financial question. He admitted that there were some arguments in favour of the accounts being laid before the members of this meeting, but to do this it would be necessary to alter the date of the financial year. He appealed with confidence to the published statements of accounts that appeared annually. No item of expenditure was omitted, but was entered under various heads.

Mr. WILLOUGHBY, in reply, stated that his remarks were only intended to suggest to the Committee the propriety of submitting the accounts in full to the members previous to the anniversary meeting, and subsided.

The report was then put from the chair and carried. The Auditors, Messrs. Kynaston, Porcher, and Ward, were re-elected, and a vote of thanks passed for their able discharge of their duties.

Mr. WARD proposed The Health of the President, remarking that none of his predecessors had shown more attention to the interests of the club, and expressing his satisfaction that his lordship would still continue to act on the Committee of the club.

The Earl of CLARENDON, who was cordially received, replied in suitable terms, and proposed as his successor Viscount Downe, who, he felt sure, would be no unworthy occupier of the seat he now vacated.

Mr. FAZAKERLEY proposed The Treasurer, and on behalf of the club expressed his sense of the valuable services rendered by that gentleman to the club for many years; they were much indebted to him for the very comprehensive and succinct statement of the accounts which appeared annually.

The TREASURER replied briefly, thanking the members for the kind reception of his name, and he was certain that the prosperity of the club was never more established than at the present moment, and that there were no signs of diminished interest on the part of cricketers in the welfare of the M.C.C.

The Earl of CLARENDON proposed The Secretary, who, in returning thanks, referred with some pride to the fact that during his nine years of office the number of members had been more than tripled. This was a certain test of the popularity of the club, and of the estimation in which the Officers and Committee were held by the members. Kind friends had occasionally whispered in his ear that the M.C.C. had reached its zenith, and would fall before the rising sun of Pimlico. He, however, had never felt a qualm, and if any one did still question the hold that the Marylebone Club had on the cricketing world he had only to look at the election board of today. The number had never been exceeded at any previous election. He had not much change to report either in the cricket or general arrangements of the season; a new clock would soon be placed in a conspicuous position, and he trusted that if the Committee undertook to keep it going, the members on their part would do their best to keep time. Punctuality on a public ground was a great desideratum, not only in the interest of the public but in that of the game. The arrangements for members' carriages last season at the grand matches were apparently successful, but he begged respectfully to again remind the members that their privileges did not extend beyond their own family. It must be generally understood that if a carriage ticket be given to a stranger it practically amounts to a fraud upon the club of one sov. A member may introduce his own or any one carriage hired by him or chartered for the occasion by a member of his family. A reserved place is guaranteed for one carriage to any member, and he can also introduce another carriage in common with the public to unreserved places. The Secretary could mention many cases in which he was aware that these privileges had been exceeded, and to all of them the same remark was applicable. The strangers who thus profited were people who could well afford to be members of the club. He was ready to carry out on behalf of the club all measures to the best of his ability, but he would rather resign his post than be a witness of a continued breach of the orders of the Committee. In conclusion he thanked the members for the kind allowance they had always made for his shortcomings, and hoped still to merit the support he had received.

Mr. BALFOUR proposed The Health of the Champion Tennis Player, Mr. Heathcote, who was warmly cheered on his rising to return thanks. He announced that the rules of tennis had been carefully revised, and would be sent to all the leading clubs for adoption if they thought fit. They had been approved by the Committee, and would henceforth be used in the Tennis Court at Lord"s Ground.

Mr. WILLOUGHBY proposed The Committee.

Messrs. NICHOLSON and BROUGHTON returned thanks.

The meeting separated at 12 o'clock, having expressed their general satisfaction at the arrangements made by Mr. Crick for their comfort.

THE 86th SEASON of the M.C.C. was commenced on the 6th of May, at Lord's, and concluded on the 6th September, at Aberdeen. It was a season to remember for its frequent and furious storms; for the extraordinary contrasts in the cricket played on the old ground; for the largest innings by Cambridge and Mr. Yardley that were ever made in the Inter Universities' matches; for the brilliant and unprecedentedly large attendances on the first days of the Oxford v. Cambridge contest, and that fashionable match of the Season- Harrow v. Eton; for the introduction on the ground of the conveniently useful Travelling Telegraph Trap; for the erection of the Clock for the convenience of visitors, and a warning to Umpires and Cricketers to henceforth keep true time; for Mr. Grace being twice out in M.C.C. matches for that beastly 0; for his being first man in and taking his bat out for 170 in another match; for his scoring an aggregate of 528 runs for the Club; for its being the season wherein Notts and Yorkshire first played the rest of England; and for the increase in the number of matches played by the Club, and consequent increase of encouragement to the game throughout the country given by M.C.C.

Visitors to the ground gave willing, hearty, and unanimous praise to the evident care that had been devoted to its culture during the recess, and that good true wickets had been prepared-when weather permitted-for the matches played was evidenced by innings of 200, 208, 211, 215, 226, 227, 238, 244, 245, 245, 250, 274, 290, 294, 339, 342, 354, 376, and 388 runs being played on the old turf in 1872 .

The M.C. and M.C and G. matches played in 1872 were over 40 in number; they comprised contests against Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Marlborough, Rugby, Cheltenham, Clifton, and Malvern (a new match) among the Public Schools. Against Surrey, Yorkshire, Middlesex, Essex, Kent, Staffordshire, Herts, Hampshire, Worcestershire, Dorset, Suffolk, Norfolk, Perthshire, and Aberdeenshire among The Counties. Against, the Royal Artillery the Royal Engineers, the Rifle Brigade, Aldershot Camp, and Winchester Garrison among the Military. Against Oxford. against Cambridge, the Civil Service Club, the South of England (a new match), the Volunteers, and the Police; and in addition to all those the Club's programme included England v. Notts and Yorkshire (a new match), The South v. The North, Rugby v. Marlborough, Eton v. Harrow, Sandhurst v. Woolwich, Oxford v. Cambridge, and The Gentlemen v. The Players of Engalnd.

Away from Lord's, M.C.C. teams played in 1872 at Cambridge (twice, at Oxford, on The Oval, at Charleywood, at Canterbury, at Cheltenham, at Marlborough, at Rugby, at Eton, at; Harrow, at Winchester (twice), at Enville Hall, at Aldershot, at Woolwich, in Dorsetshire in Worcestershire, in Hampshire, in Suffolk, in Norfolk, and twice in Bonnie Scotland.

The highest innings played in '72 at Lord's was Cambridge's 388 against Oxford; the lowest, M.C.C.'s memorable and miserable 16 against Surrey; and the smallest scores made by opponents of the Club are Perth's 23 and 17.

The highest Individual scores hit at Lord's in 1872 are Mr. W. Grace's 170 not out against the combined counties; Mr. Yardley's 130 against Oxford; the Hon. G. Harris' 117 for I Z.; Mr. W. Grace's 112 for The Gentlemen; Mr. W. Grace"s 101 against Yorkshire; Mr. R. E. Crawford"s 106 for I Z.; and Richard Daft"s 102 for the Players. But the highest score hit for M.C. on any ground last season is Mr. J. W. Dale's 132 at Cambridge against The University.

JAMES GRUNDY, after 20 years' service in the Club, resigned his post early in 1872, taking with him in his retirement the respect and good wishes of all men for his uniformly excellent, manly conduct, and the admiration of all cricketers of his brilliant, successful, long, and fair bowling career-a career that has made his name creditably famous in cricket history.

THOS. HEARNE succeeded Grundy as Captain of the M.C.C. ground bowlers; T. H. had 15 men under his captaincy, the 15 comprising in Wootton, West, Howitt, Rylott, and Barratt-so many as 5 left-hand bowlers. Wootton was unwell for a part of the season, but was better at the back end, 47 wickets in 4 of the last M.C. matches played testifying the left hand of this famous M.C. bowler had lost none of its old effective cunning. Clayton and Howitt were also on the sick list, and long ere the season at Lord's was played out it was evident that John Smith was bravely battling against ill health, and consequently M.C. lost many a run that in better health would have been saved and made by Smith.

The bulk of the M.C. bowling in '72 fell to Alfred Shaw, and how ably and effectively he did bowling duty for the Club is shewn in the M.C.C. bowling summary at the end of the Club"s innings in this record, where it is evidenced that Alfred Shawbowled 811 overs for 817 runs and 99 wickets for M.C.C. in 1872. This is independent of 4 wickets in the Aberdeenshire match wherein the bowling was not booked, and of Shaw's bowling in a few other matches not reckoned in the Summary. Wootton's bowling worked well when he was at work with the ball, as 105 wickets in 11 matches denote, and the Summary will sufficiently tell the tale of the trundling of the others in the few matches they played in.

Mr. W. G. Grace, the monarch of all M.C.C. (and other batsmen), notwithstanding the wet and slow wickets that prevailed in the early part of last season, again contributed very largely to the Club's success on several occasions, for out of the gross total of 1556 runs made for M.C.C. in the 15 innings Mr. Grace played for the Club, he made 528, or more than one-third; his M.C.C. average for 1872 being 40-8 runs per innings. Of others who batted a bit for the old Club last season, John Smith, Mr. Coote, Mr. Dale, Clifton, and Mr. Sutton average best, but what they scored, and how they batted will be ascertained by a perusal of the following record of the principal matches played in 1872 by THE MARYLEBONE CLUB.

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