Johnnie Clay

Who was Johnnie Clay?

John Charles Clay was a cricketer who played for Glamorgan County Cricket Club. Clay also played one Test match for England.

Clay was born in Bonvilston, Glamorgan, Wales. He first played for Glamorgan in 1920, the year before they achieved first-class status, and remained with the club till 1949. He captained the county from 1924 to 1927 and then again in 1929 and 1946. Between 1933 and 1938, he served as the club's Treasurer and with Maurice Turnbull, helped raise money through functions and contacts that kept the club afloat. In 1935 he was called up to play a Test match for England at the Oval against South Africa, but did not take a wicket and did not bat. 1937 was his most successful as a bowler, taking 176 wickets, which remains a Glamorgan record. Clay was a Test selector in 1947 and 1948 and President of Glamorgan from 1961 until his death. He died at St Hilary, near Cowbridge, Glamorgan.