After Olly Hannon-Dalby last month, we welcomed Harry Pearson – award-winning author and journalist, and one-time Tall Man in a Low Land (according to the title of one of his books).
Harry's books and articles cover various fields including cricket, football and cycling – many focused on grassroots sport and leisure in northern England (and in Belgium).
Born and brought up on the edge of Teesside, he was a fearsome fast bowler in his day.
But, while confident in his ability, he retired at 30, lacking the courage needed to play good league cricket and survive the on-field ‘commentary’ AKA sledging.
And last summer he decided there was no chance of a return to action, when his first ball brought the keeper right up to the stumps.
(Not that this deterred Boland and Neser in this winter’s Ashes, mind you!)
Turning to George Hirst, Wilfred Rhodes and Schofield Haigh – the trio of great Yorkshire professionals who feature in First of the Summer Wine – Harry showed how they helped to turn the club into the greatest county cricket side of the early 20th century.
Playing under the captaincy of Lord Hawke, who did so much (not without opposition) to professionalise the team, the three produced impressive career statistics across bowling and batting.
They also took an intelligent approach to their cricket, working independently to develop their abilities in all aspects of their game.
Although Yorkshire's professionals were respected, paid and looked up to at county level, the same was not true at national level where gentleman amateurs remained the top dogs.
Quizzed about their post-playing careers, Harry revealed that all three became coaches.
Schofield spent seven years at Winchester before his premature death in 1921.
George went to Eton, where he achieved great success by encouraging youngsters to play their natural game, only tweaking aspects here and there.
But at Harrow Wilfred faced mixed fortunes, trying to get his boys to play like YCCC, and was eventually sacked while umpiring a match at the school.
Asked which of his many books sell best, Harry paid tribute to the influence of Nick Hornby.
Without Hornby’s Fever Pitch, which raised the profile (and sales) of sports books, and of football books in particular, Harry wouldn’t be an author.
Maggie thanked Harry for a most engrossing and entertaining evening, enjoyed by another good crowd.
Mark Heap presented a Xmas gift to Beverley Town's Kelly – a small thank you for her warm hospitality over the year.
The raffle raised £140 and as usual our thanks go to all who contributed.