Tom Brierley

Tom Brierley played for Glamorgan between 1931 and 1939, and after the Second World War, he joined Lancashire for whom he played between 1946 and 1948. A curiosity of his county career was that he made his career best score of 116 for Glamorgan against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1938, and then equalled it for his new county against Glamorgan at Liverpool in 1947.

Brierley had initially joined Glamorgan in the early 1930`s as a specialist batsman, but he won a place a regular place from 1934 as a wicket-keeper, following Trevor Every having to retire as his sight deteriorated. He proved to be a competent wicket-keeper, claiming 21 catches and 19 stumpings in his first season behind the stumps. In 1937 Brierley recorded a maiden Championship hundred against Sussex, and also made 62 dismissals, including 24 stumpings, mainly from the clever spin of Johnnie Clay. In 1938 Brierley handed over the gauntlets to Haydn Davies in 1938, but remained as a middle order batsman in the Glamorgan side. He topped the thousand mark in 1938, thanks to six half-centuries and his century against Lancashire.

In 1946 Brierley accepted an offer from Lancashire, as there was a possibility of a coaching position at Old Trafford. However, this did not materialise, and at the end of 1948 he decided to emigrate to Canada. He subsequently became one of Canada`s leading coaches, and won a place in their national side. He returned to the U.K. in 1954 as a member of their touring party, and despite being 44, he batted with distinction throughout the tour.(Submitted by Andrew Hignell - April 2000)