Frank Sugg

SUGG, FRANK HOWE, who died on May 29, was born at Ilkeston on January 11, 1862. A fine enterprising batsman, especially strong in driving and square-leg hitting, and a brilliant outfield, who not only covered a lot of ground but possessed a very safe pair of hands, he had the experience--very unusual in modern days--of playing for three different counties. He appeared for Yorkshire in 1883, for Derbyshire--his native county--in 1884, 1885 and 1886, and for thirteen seasons subsequently, having qualified by residence, he assisted Lancashire. While doing little as a member of the Yorkshire team, he rendered capital service to Derbyshire, running second in the averages one year to L. C. Docker, and in another to W. Chatterton, while amongst his scores was one of 187 against Hampshire at Southampton. His great work, however, was accomplished for Lancashire. Standing six feet high, he possessed very quick sight and, if his methods tended to make him a poor starter, no one was more likely on a bad wicket to turn the fortunes of a game. Altogether for Lancashire he scored 10,375 runs with an average of 26. He played in 1896 an innings of 220 against Gloucestershire and on five other occasions exceeded 150, his hundreds in first-class cricket numbering sixteen in all. In the game with Somerset at Taunton in 1899, he and G. R. Baker hit up 50 runs off three consecutive overs, Sugg, in one of these, registering five 4's. Sugg appeared several times for the Players against the Gentlemen and in 1888 took part in Test Matches against Australia at the Oval and at Manchester. His recollections of these two games must have been very happy, for at the Oval, where he made 31, the Australians were dismissed for 80 and 100, England winning in a single innings, and at Manchester, where he scored 24, Australia's totals were 81 and 70, and again England triumphed with an innings to spare. Some time after the close of his career Sugg officiated as an umpire in first-class matches. Lancashire gave him their match with Kent at Old Trafford in 1897 as a benefit. Frank Sugg was equally good at Association football and he gained fame with Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Burnley and Bolton Wanderers, being captain of the first three teams. Such was his versatility in sport that, besides his prowess at cricket and football, he excelled as a long distance swimmer and joined with Burgess and Heaton in swims; he held the record for throwing the cricket ball; reached the final of the Liverpool Amateur Billiards Championship; won prizes all over the country for rifle shooting, bowls, and putting the shot, and was famed as a weight lifter.