Brief profile of W.H.Scotton by Don Ambrose

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Player:

WH Scotton

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SCOTTON, William Henry.
Professional.
Born at Mount Street, Nottingham, 15th January 1856.
Died at St. John’s Wood, London, 9th July 1893.
He was educated at the People’s College, Nottingham, and played his early cricket for the Meadow Willow C.C.. He first went out as a professional with the South Derbyshire club in 1873, at the age of seventeen. He had two trials for Nottinghamshire in 1873 and made his first-class debut for them in 1875. He played in 237 first class matches between then and 1891, 153 of them for Nottinghamshire and 15 of them being Test Matches. He toured Australia three times, in 1881/2, 1884/5 and 1886/7. In 1874 and 1875 he was on the ground staff at Lord’s. He was a useful association football player and turned out for Notts County on occasion. In 1879 he was landlord of the Boat Inn, Beeston and in 1886 the Crown Inn, Long Row, Nottingham. In 1887 he moved to West Bridgford. In 1893 he committed suicide at his Lodgings at 91 St. John’s Wood Road, London. It was said at his inquest that it preyed seriously on his mind when he lost his place in the Nottinghamshire side.
At the time of the 1881 Census he was one of three unmarried brothers living at the Boat Inn, Beeston. Samuel, aged 29, a lace maker, William Henry, aged 25, a professional cricketer, and John, aged 21. Two unmarried nieces, Annie, aged 18, and Ellen, aged 17, were public house manager and bar maid.

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Don Ambrose)