Edward Gothard

Who was Edward Gothard?

Edward James Gothard was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire in 1947 and 1948 and captained the side in both years.

Gothard was born in Burton-on-Trent, the son of William Gothard who played cricket for Staffordshire. Gothard himself represented Staffordshire in the Minor Counties Championship in 1927. He was an able rugby player but as a result of injury took to playing hockey instead. He was captain of Burton Hockey Club from 1933 to 1939. During the Second World War he played four cricket matches for Nottinghamshire in 1943. He was captain of Burton Hockey Club again from 1946 to 1947, and was a regular player for the club after the war. He played hockey for Derbyshire 30 times and was a trialist for the "Midlands".

Gothard became cricket captain for Derbyshire in the 1947 season and made his first-class debut in a match at the end of May against Northamptonshire . An innings victory marked the start of a good run for the Derbyshire team. Gothard, 43 years old at this time, was a strict disciplinarian, and they finished in fifth place in the 1947 County Championship. Against Middlesex Gothard took a hat-trick, including the wicket of Bill Edrich, one of the season's top scorers. During the 1948 season, Gothard clean bowled Don Bradman at Derby. At the end of the 1948 season, he retired from first-class cricket. Gothard was a right-arm medium-pace bowler who took 18 first-class wickets at an average of 40.55 and a best performance of 3–84. He was a skilful right-handed batsman who played in the lower-order. He played 63 innings in 45 first class matches with one half-century and an average of 12.34.