Gordon Ross

'From Hambledon to a Hampshire championship' is the title of the article by John Arlott celebrating the first ever County Championship for Hampshire in 1961. What a great team that was, led by Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie. This edition also has information and a photo of the great Australian team that came to England in 1961: Lawry, Simpson, Grout, Burge, O'Neill etc etc.

This was 'a publication officially approved by the Football Association'. World Cup Willie, the mascot, was on the title page. Some great players from other countries were pictured, e.g. Lev Yashin, great Russian goalkeeper, Uwe Seeler, and Antonio Rattin, the villain. A pre-owned enthusiast paid 20p for it. It was a colourful book to generate the great successes that led to England's victory.

This was the first Ashes tour in which I took any interest. We had Australian relatives over around that time and they heightened the fascinatiion of the likes of Harvey, Benaud, Burge, Grout, Davidson, Mackay, Lawry, McKenzie and Simpson.

'Hampshire Champions' is the title of the article on pages 56-57, for only the second time in their history in 1973. Bishen Bedi in his turban appears on the front cover.