RETRO: Doncaster cricketing legend remembered

Leeds, Headingley, 1st April 1957

Don Wilson, skipper Billy Sutcliffe, Cowan, Close, Appleyard and Trueman, with other members of the Yorkshire County cricket team, get some physical training in before the start of practice at the nets at Headingley. — Leeds, Headingley, 1st April 1957 Don Wilson, skipper Billy Sutcliffe, Cowan, Close, Appleyard and Trueman, with other members of the Yorkshire County cricket team, get some physical training in before the start of practice at the nets at Headingley.

Born weighing an impressive 14lbs 1oz, in long-gone cottages at Stainton, within the Doncaster borough, Freddie was the middle child of seven, and his father worked at the nearby Maltby Main colliery.

At 16, Freddie joined Sheffield United...a cricket club long before the football club evolved. He was later asked to join Yorkshire Boys and appeared with them eight times in 1949.

Hull Circle Cricket Ground

The F. S. trueman International XI poses in front of The Circle's impressive pavilion with members of the opposing team, a Humberside XI.
In theback row can be seen Peter Lever, Don Shepherd, Graham Roope, David Steele, Frank Hayes and John Edrich.

In the front row we can see Tom Graveney, Fred Trueman, Ray Illingworth and Bob Taylor. — Hull Circle Cricket Ground The F. S. trueman International XI poses in front of The Circle's impressive pavilion with members of the opposing team, a Humberside XI. In theback row can be seen Peter Lever, Don Shepherd, Graham Roope, David Steele, Frank Hayes and John Edrich. In the front row we can see Tom Graveney, Fred Trueman, Ray Illingworth and Bob Taylor.

From 1949, Trueman captured 2,304 first-class wickets at 18.29 and was the first cricketer to take 300 Test wickets. He took part in his first test match at 21, and played for England 67 times.

That first test match was in 1952 against India, when he acquitted himself well. Overlooked for the first four 1953 test matches against Australia, Trueman was included in the fifth and took four for 86 in first innings. He helped England to win the only match in the series to fully finish and to regain the Ashes after a 19-year lapse.

The ‘larger than life’ character captained Yorkshire for six years in the 1960s, when the club was a formidable force.

Later, he wielded his influence and knowledge on the Yorkshire club committee, and became a broadcaster for both radio and television along with writing newspaper columns.

His OBE came in 1989 for his considerable charity work.

Seen as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, Trueman could have been a footballer. He played for Lincoln City during his national service but made the choice to concentrate on his cricket.

He is included in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, together with Yorkshire players Wilfred Rhodes and Geoff Boycott. The award was received in 2009, during a test match at Headingley, by his widow Veronica.