Clubs: Sleaford, Skegness, Lincolnshire CCC, Hampshire CCC

Roles and Representation: Player, Administrator

Honours: Lincolnshire CCC captain, Hon Secretary of Lincolnshire CCC 1867-71

Clem Booth

The son of the Reverend TW Booth, Clement Booth was born in Friskney, Boston, on May 11 1842. He played cricket at Rugby School and Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining his cricket blue as a freshman in 1862 and captaining the Cambridge side in 1864. He played county cricket for Lincolnshire between 1863 and 1889, and was Hon Secretary of the county between 1867 and 1871. While captain of Lincolnshire he helped to make the ground at Skegness, home of the Skegness and District CC, of which he was captain for some years.

In a famous incident at Brocklesby Park, playing for Lord Yarborough’s team, he made eight runs off one hit without an overthrow, having hoicked it clean out of the ground, over the road and into the next field. At that time, the concept of a boundary did not yet exist!

He later moved to Hampshire and represented Hampshire CCC until his retirement in 1886. In all, he played in 75 first-class matches. He was also a member of the MCC, and knew WG Grace well, often playing with him at Lords, including in the Veterans side who opposed the MCC at the Centenary Festival at the ground in 1887. Wisden described him as “a sound free batsman, with strong back play and a fine cut, and an excellent field at long-leg and cover.”

In his retirement he became a farmer at Hundleby Grange, Spilsby, where he died in 1926 at the age of 84.