Allen Richardson, who died in the Nottingham City Hospital on 20 September 1998, was a tall right-arm fast-medium bowler and right hand bat. He made his debut in the Minor Counties Championship for Notts Seconds v Derbyshire Seconds in August 1948, returning the impressive analysis of 5-64 whilst Derby totalled 326. As a result he was offered a place on the Trent Bridge staff for 1949. During that season he appeared regularly in the Minor Counties side, as well as having five matches in the Championship – on his First-Class debut v Essex at Brentwood in June he bowled only two overs, which caused some comment in the press. 1950 saw him play in 11 Championship games, his best analysis being 4-24 v Northants at Northampton. In 1951 he played in 12 matches but then suffered a leg injury – the Annual Report commented: “Richardson improved considerably as his confidence increased and was very unlucky to injure his leg when he had a great opportunity to prove himself.”
Although he was the leading wicket-taker in the 1952 Minor Counties team, taking 22 wickets @20.95, he did not re-appear in the First Eleven and was released from the staff at the end of 1952. In 28 First-Class matches for Notts, Richardson took 40 wickets @45.47 and scored 73 runs @4.86.
Born at Woodbeck on 28 October 1926, Richardson was a very quietly spoken man, the opposite of the traditional fast bowler’s image. After retiring from cricket he was in business in Long Eaton and became an enthusiastic bowls player. He was a regular attender of the Notts Old Players Reunion.
April 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 385