People of Note
Fred Trueman (1931-2006)
A Yorkshire and England fast bowler, Fiery Fred Trueman was the first man to take 300 Test wickets; Fred took his 300th Test wicket on August 15, 1964 in the final Ashes Test at The Oval . when he had Neil Hawke caught by Colin Cowdrey at first slip.
Fred was diagnosed with cancer in May, 2006 and sadly lost the battle, passing away aged 75 on July 1st 2006.
Family
Frederick Sewards Trueman, was one of eight children of Allan Thomas Trueman, a miner. (Sewards was his grandmother’s surname) His father was a well-known local club cricketer, left-arm bowler and batsman, and fostered a liking for cricket throughout the family. 'Fiery Fred' was born on February 6th, 1931 at Scotch Springs Road, in the village of Stainton near Maltby, Rotherham and attended Maltby Grammar School where he was a member of the cricket team.
On leaving school, Fred worked at Maltby colliery in the Boxhall (underground office) until the Yorkshire Cricket Club called on his services. His brother Arthur was a Wagon Loader at Maltby pit.
He married Enid Chapman, a former fashion model, in 1955. They had two daughters and a son. but the marriage was dissolved in 1972. His daughter Rebecca married Damon, the son of the film star Raquel Welch. His second marriage was to Veronica Wilson (née Lundy).
Fred owned a Sports Shop in Skipton close to the family home in nearby Flasby.
Cricket
His first club was Roche Abbey where he took 25 wickets in his first four games at a cost of only 37 runs. After joining the junior section of Sheffield Cricket Club at Bramall Lane, it wasn't long before he was invited to attend the Yorkshire nets for special coaching. Fred’s Yorkshire debut was against Cambridge University in May 1949 at the age of 18, under the captaincy of Norman Yardley.
Statistics on Fred’s career with Yorkshire:
- Played 459 Matches
- Runs - 6852, highest score being 104
- Wickets - 1745
- Catches - 325
In 1952, the Cricket Writers' Club elected him the Best Young Cricketer of the Year and he also became Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1952.
Between 1952, (after completing National Service in the R.A.F. ) and 1965, he played in 67 Test Matches for England, his debut was for England versus India at Headingley, Leeds in June, 1952.
In 1954 he was chosen to tour West Indies, captained by the legendry Len Hutton.
While doing his National Service, Fred was based at Hemswell in Lincolnshire where he showed his versatility by playing Soccer for R.A.F. Hemswell.
See also Test Match Statistics
Retirement
Fred announced his retirement from first class cricket in November 1968. A new career opened for Fred who became one of the country’s finest and most in-demand after dinner speakers. From sportsman’s dinners to top corporate events, he was always in demand for his hilarious and entertaining presentations.
Broadcaster and Journalist
Fred contributed as a Sunday columnist in the People newspaper. In 1973 he hosted Yorkshire TV's lunchtime show - the Indoor League, but he will be best remembered for his work at the BBC. He began Test Match Special for the BBC in 1974, which lasted for 27 years. His catchphrase 'I just don't know what's going off out there'.
In 1979, he also did some television work for Channel 9, Kerry Packers' Television Company
In 1970 Fred appeared in an episode of the popular Dad's Army series where the ARP wardens challenge the Home Guard to a cricket match…..
Charity Work
Fred was awarded an OBE in 1989 for his charity work and latterly was a patron of Yorkshire Air AmbulanceYorkshire Air Ambulance since it was formed in 2000.
Books
Advert for The Thoughts of Trueman now (1978)
This autobiography is his story, from his Yorkshire boyhood in the Depression to international cricketing glory. It's packed with gloriously funny and refreshingly blunt tales of the life of the junior professional in a 1950s English county cricket team, of lugging the entire team's kit from match to match when a journey across country could easily take a whole day, to Test glory in the 1960s both at home and abroad. It takes in the commentary box, Test Match Special, Johnners and Bloers and chocolate cake and, finally, Trueman's trenchant views on today's international cricket circus: throwing versus bowling, the media frenzy surrounding top sportsmen and women and the nature of modern cricket.
Some of his stories and his meetings with celebrities - Fred Trueman has met almost everyone in the world of cricket, and he tells of anecdotes and dialogues between him and other great players like Don Bradman, Mike Atherton, John Major and Harold Wilson.
When 'Fiery Fred' showed the cricket world what he could do