Neville Ford

Who was Neville Ford?

Neville Montague Ford was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire, Oxford University, Middlesex and MCC between 1926 and 1934.

Ford was born at Repton, the son of the Rev Lionel Ford and his wife May Talbot. His father was then headmaster of Repton School and in 1910 became headmaster of Harrow School. His mother was the daughter of Edward Stuart Talbot, who was successively Bishop of Rochester, Southwark and Winchester.

Ford was educated at West Downs School and Harrow where he became head of the school and captain of cricket. While still at school he began playing for Derbyshire. He made his debut in August 1926 in a victory against Northamptonshire and followed it up with a draw against Kent. He played two games for Derbyshire in 1927.

Ford then went to Oriel College, Oxford having been awarded the Evelyn de Rothschild scholarship. He played cricket for Oxford University in three successive years from 1928 to 1930. His centuries all came for Oxford and were 151 against Nottinghamshire and 118 against Free Foresters in 1929 and 155 against Kent, 183 against the Free Foresters and 180 against Surrey in 1930.