John Shilton was one of the players who helped Warwickshire's status to rise at the end of the 19th century. "At his best he was a first rate left handed bowler, slow to medium pace," Wisden noted. "Bowling with a high and very easy action, he combined plenty of spin with accuracy of pitch, and during his early years in the Warwickshire eleven he was brilliantly successful. Apart from his bowling, he was a very useful bat."

Shilton's off-the-field problems ensured he was a handful. He suffered from and bronchitis, and was eventually sent to South Africa in a failed bid to prolong his career. He was plagued by financial problems - his benefit was used to clear some of his debts and he also spent time in debtors prison - but that did not stop him from living beyond his means, and his habit of riding round in a hansom cab earned him the nickname Lord Warwick. He was also too fond of drink and once said of the public's habit of buying him a celebratory pint: "Drink, sir, why I could swim in drink. I wish they wouldn't give me drink. I wish they would give me the money." He died, predictably penniless, aged 37.
Martin Williamson