William Clarke

Who was William Clarke?

William Benjamin Clarke was an English cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium-fast.

Clarke was born in Old Basford, Nottingham. He began as a professional with the Plymouth club in Devon between 1866 and 1872. He was engaged by Lord Roberts at Lanhydrock, near Bodmin in 1872 and went to Partick in 1873 with the West England Club as a professional and general manager of the ground. While at Partick he kept a shop selling cricket items and also kept a billiards room. He remained there until 1877 when he represented Nottinghamshire in 13 matches. He served as coach to Harrow School during which time, he qualified for Middlesex by residence. He made 21 appearances for Middlesex between 1880 and 1884. Upon his departure from Harrow, he became landlord of The Clayton Arms, near The Oval. He served as a first-class umpire between 1883 and 1899. His brother Morris Clarke also played for Nottinghamshire nine times between 1875 and 1880.

He and his wife Hannah had two daughters Alice and Amelia and two sons William and Charles. Clarke died in Hyson Green, Nottingham in 1902 aged 55.