Born in Eastwood on 8 December 1885, Cecil Cooper Clifton was drafted into the Notts side mid-way through the 1908 season v Derbyshire at Trent Bridge, largely as a result of Notts’ poor bowling performances. His trial was an extensive one, for he appeared in 10 consecutive matches, promising much but achieving little, either as a fast-medium right-arm bowler or a right-handed middle order batsman.
In 1909 his efforts were almost entirely confined to Second Eleven matches but the following summer he regained his position in the County side. However that proved his last year in the County Eleven as he took an engagement with Enfield in the Lancashire League in 1911, playing for them for two seasons.
His final First-Class match was Notts v Middlesex at Trent Bridge in August 1910. In 24 First-Class matches he scored 154 runs @5.92 with a highest score of 22 on his debut v Derbyshire; he took 50 wickets @26.68 with a best bowling of 4-25 v Lancashire at Trent Bridge in 1910.
Clifton played for the Northumberland County Club in 1914, New Brighton between 1919 and 1921, Wallasey in 1922 and 1923 and Garston from 1925 to 1929. In 1920, Clifton made his debut for Cheshire and played 46 Minor County matches for them over four seasons scoring 478 runs @10.86 and 164 wickets @15.67.
Cecil Cooper Clifton died following an operation in Liverpool on 12 March 1930, aged 44 years.
May 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 298