More than 2,000 cricket lovers piled into the North Road home of Glossop CC 75 years ago to see the town team take on the might of Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
There was no one more delighted at the time than the county’s star batsman Charlie Elliott, who pocketed the gate money of £100.
It was Charlie’s testimonial season, and was just one of the cash-raising events Derbyshire CCC organised to reward its long serving stars.
When players had a day off from county cricket, the club arranged games with local league teams to raise money for one of their own.
There was nowhere near as much money going into professional game 75 years ago as there is today.
Charlie opened Derbyshire’s innings with Jack Kelly and hit 105 of the county’s 206 for seven declared, with Jimmy Wilson and Richard Ainsworth each picking up three wickets.
Fans expected a big-hitting run chase when Glossop batted, but sadly, it never happened.
Openers G. B. Bridge (48) and L. Winsor (25) gave the hosts a good start, but when time ran out, the reply was 99 for four.
The result might have been different if Derbyshire’s fast bowling star Les Jackson had been playing.
But the England Test player was injured and spent the match sitting on the boundary signing autographs.
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From the Chronicle files - Thursday 21st August 2025
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