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Lancashire player number 92 - Patterson, William Seeds
by Don Ambrose


Player:WS Patterson

Lancashire 1874-82
Born 19.3.1854 Mossley Hill, Liverpool.
Died 20.10.1939 Hook Heath, Woking, Surrey.

 

The son of T.M.Patterson of Mossley Hill, Liverpool. He was educated at Uppingham, which he entered in August 1868. He was a member of the cricket eleven from 1871 to 1873, being captain in his last year. His brother T.M.Patterson was also a member of the eleven 1874-75.

 

In 1909 he published "Sixty Years of Uppingham Cricket" a magnificent 316 page account of the development of cricket at the school up to that date.

 

He went up to Trinity College, Cambridge and after scoring a century (147) in a Freshmen's Match in 1874 was immediately selected for the University eleven, winning his Blue in 1875, 1876 and 1877 when he was captain. His one first-class century was scored in the match against Oxford at Lord's in 1876, in which match he also took 5/42 and 2/110. He was an attractive middle order right-handed batsman and a right-arm slow bowler, gaining his wickets by fight rather than by spin.

 

He was selected for the Gentlemen three times whilst still at University and in the 1877 match against the Players at Lord's in the second innings he went in last to join G.F.Grace. The Gentlemen had been set 143 to win and were 97 for nine wickets. He contibuted 24 runs in the famous last wicket stand of 46 which won the match.

 

He gained his B.A. in 1877 and later his M.A. and on leaving University entered the family business of corn merchants in Liverpool and North America. In 1880 and 1881 he played for the English Residents against the American Born at Nicetown, Philadelphia.

 

He continued to play cricket in the Liverpool area on his return to this country and in addition to his business was a member of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board for many years.

 

In 1894 he was living at Parkside, Mossley Hill, but by 1909 he had moved to Fulwood Park, Liverpool. On his retirement he went to Ridge End, Hook Heath, Woking, Surrey where he died.

 

In his later years he was asked why he had never been President of his 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!"

 


(Article: Copyright © 2004 Don Ambrose)

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