William Patterson

PATTERSON, MR. WILLIAM SEEDS, of Fulwood Park, Liverpool, died at his home at Working on October 20, aged 85. An outstanding cricketer in the'seventies, he was educated at Uppingham and was one of many players who established the cricket fame of that school. He captained the eleven in 1873; played in the Cambridge Freshman's match in 1874, scoring 147, and in the next three seasons appeared against Oxford. In the 1876 University match he scored 105 not out and took seven wickets. He captained Cambridge in 1877 when Oxford, led by A. J. Webbe, won by ten wickets. F. M. Buckland played a great not out innings of 117 and in the two Cambridge innings took seven wickets for 52. A. J. Webbe and his brother, H. R. Webbe, hit off 47 runs wanted by the Dark Blues for victory.

That year both University captains played for the Gentlemen in memorable match against the Players at Lord's. The Gentlemen were set to get 143 to win and the task appeared light for a team so strong in batting that I. D. Walker, the captain put himself in last. The order was changed in the second innings and when Patterson joined G. F. Grace nine men were out for 97, but the runs were obtained amidst tremendous excitement, the Gentlemen winning what was described as The Glorious Match, by one wicket. Now, A. J. Webbe, for many years captain and President of Middlesex, alone remains of twenty-two noted cricketers, the flower of the game at that time.

Patterson was an excellent all-round cricketer, an attractive batsman and a reliable slow bowler. After his University days he played little first-class cricket, though he turned out occasionally for Lancashire, the last time, as he said, being about 1882. Asked if he were ever president of the county, he replied: Lancashire had rather a strong amateur representation, two or three Steels, two or three Hornbys as well as Vernon Royle. The management was always jealously retained at Manchester. I lived in Liverpool!