Hampshire Cricket History

The letter below is Arthur’s invitation to join the staff. Here he is with fellow new boys, including Ted Drake and Lloyd Budd and the men who produced the pitches and kept the ground in good order. At the back, second right is Ernie Knights who became Head Groundsman after the war and for many years.

This photo shows Arthur as 12th Man at Leicester (Stuart Boyes is the man at the window). In 1938 he went back there and scored his debut first-class century.

For those of you attending the lunch to celebrate Arthur’s ‘century’ (centenary) lunch on 8 April I have an update on the parking. It may be park and walk on the main road opposite the Rose Bowl entrance (Marshall drive). Wherever it is, I will submit a list of the names of all ticket holders to give access to the car park. I will continue to update information on this site. (Dave Allen)

Here is a copy of the 1934 letter inviting ‘Holt’ to join the Hampshire groundstaff along with Ted Drake, Gerry Hill, Lloyd Budd and Ernie Hayter. It is signed by the secretary GH Muir – no headed notepaper – and the weekly wage, once his football duties are over, is £2 plus ‘ten bob’ (10/- or 50p) for every Club & Ground appearance (to see a larger version please click on the letter)

Before the war Arthur played football for Saints in the winter. He became captain of the club and was said to have a particularly fierce shot – especially at dead-ball situations

Arthur Holt played for Hampshire on either side of the last War but his real fame was as a coach. Holt’s Colts included Sainsbury, Barnard, Heath, Turner and Greenidge and he took Hampshire’s junior and 2nd XI cricketers all over the county and beyond. He was also the most delighful of men.

8 April 2011 is the centenary of Arthur’s birth and on the first day of the new Championship season there will be a lunch in the Shane Warne Suite at the Rose Bowl (1.30 pm) to celebrate ‘Arthur’s Century’. Tickets are £35 each including entry to the game (and wine with the meal). Any proceeds will go to the Hampshire Academy for junior players. Full details on the Hampshire website