Cricketers seek new boundaries

All eyes were on the generous Rev William Spencer, who had donated money to the building and was preparing to cut the ribbon.

Suddenly the crowd gasped with horror as he fell forward on his face. Those nearest him rushed to help, but soon discovered he was dead.

Newspaper reports from the day on April 27 1912 say: "Without the slightest warning he suddenly fell forward to the ground on his face and expired.

"Those on the spot at once placed the unfortunate gentleman on some coats on the ground and tried to restore consciousness, but in two to three minutes it was plainly evident that death had taken place."

Ray Hale, chairman of Coseley Cricket Club says: "Rev Spencer was related to Princess Diana and came to Christ Church in Coseley a wealthy and educated man.

"He used his money for the benefit of the community and a new pavilion for the cricket club cost £336, 10 shillings and six pence.

"While he promoted the game of cricket he could not tolerate football.

"He became tenant of the cricket club field, where a football team also played, but he forced the footballers to leave saying he objected to them shouting 'goal' while someone was being buried in the adjoining graveyard. When the pavilion was first built it had a tea room and the cellars were used as a kitchen.

"The first bar was installed in 1961 from what was the away changing room. There were also tennis courts where the car park is now."

Coseley Cricket Club was established in 1870 on ground which used to be a colliery and once drew crowds of spectators for games which included football stars Billy Wright and Stan Cullis.

Mr Hale says: "During the second world war cricket was not played because the ground was commandeered by the home guard as their headquarters.

"During that time the Spread Eagle pub was where players went to after cricket matches. Just before the ground was due to be handed back to the club, part of the pavilion was badly damaged by fire and the field was in a terrible condition. A rusty old nissen hut covered the tennis courts, a water tank, barbed wire, old engines and a cinder track were spread across the field. People spent hours working on the field, while others organised activities to help raise funds."

Members are keen to keep the club going for another 137 years and have formed a new youth section.

Youth organiser Phil Jones says: "Because we have a strong social membership youngsters often come down to the club with their parents.

"We have youngsters come to the club who have watched their dads playing or they may have friends at school who are involved. Like any sports club we have to compete against football but at the moment we are going from strength to strength."

The club has three teams who compete on a Saturday and two on a Sunday.

"By investing in local youngsters we are making sure the club has a bright future.

"We have recently had donations from B&Q in Bilston and Wicks in Dudley to improve the scoreboard, benches and the pavilion. We also hope to become a focus club in the area, which will help us access funding and get schools to bring their pupils here to play."