Derbyshire Legends 4 - Bill Copson (1908-71)

Only Bill Copson's health and injury problems kept him from greater recognition, as there is no doubt that he was a very fine bowler.

Another from the Derbyshire coalfields, Bill impressed at the nets with his accuracy and ability to swing the ball at pace. "We've found a gorilla-armed 'un" was the comment passed on the young bowler, who looked like he needed built up a little but was able to generate good pace from a whippy action.

With his first ball in first-class cricket he took the wicket of Surrey legend Andrew Sandham and he continued to make a good impression. His accuracy was notable, as was his shock of red hair, and from a short run up Bill could make the best batsmen in the country hurry their shots.

He had a fine seasom in 1935 and finished top of the averages, but he missed a lot of cricket and Derbyshire sent him to Skegness to recuperate from illness and he also trained with Chesterfield FC to get fitter for 1936.

Derbyshire's Championship success in 1936 owed much to what was called "Copson's brimstone at one end and Tommy Mitchell's treacle at the other". Indeed, in the absence of George Pope for much of the season with cartilage trouble, more work was thrust on the two. Bill took 140 wickets at less than 13 in the season and earned selection for the Ashes tour to Australia. He did well there too, topping the tour averages but playing no Tests.

In 1937 he produced his greatest performance in taking 8-11 against Warwickshire at Derby, including 5 in 6 balls. He finally got an England call in 1939 and took 12 wickets in two Tests. Due to bigger battles he had to wait until 1947 for a next cap when he took a further three wickets against South Africa to end his Test career with 15 wickets at just under 20.

For Derbyshire he took 1094 wickets at a shade under 19. He played on after the war and retired in 1949, becoming an umpire. Throughout his career he went for only 2.5 runs an over, a clear indication of that accuracy. He was no batsman, but like most tail-enders of the time gave the ball a hearty thump and his innings were usually brief and entertaining.