14 Facts About Bill Copson

William Henry Copson was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire County Cricket Club between 1932 and 1950, and for England between 1939 and 1947.

Bill Copson took over 1,000 wickets for Derbyshire, and was prominent in their 1936 Championship season.

Cricket correspondent, Colin Bateman, noted Bill Copson was, "a flame-haired pace bowler with a temper to match, became a cricketer by accident".

Bill Copson was born in Stonebroom, Derbyshire, and became a miner.

Bill Copson took no interest in cricket until the Strike, when some fellow miners persuaded him to join in cricket on the local recreation ground while they were absent from work.

Bill Copson made his debut in first-class cricket for Derbyshire against Surrey when he sensationally dismissed Andy Sandham with his first ball.

In 1933, Bill Copson became a regular member of the Derbyshire side, and, if he did not, in spite of his short run-up, possess the build to undertake as much work as fast bowlers were expected to then, he was consistently good in a summer unfavourable to bowlers.

Bill Copson took 8 for 64 against Sussex on a good pitch, and the following year took 103 wickets, but could not dislodge Farnes and Bowes from the Test team.

At last, Bill Copson played his first Test against the West Indies in 1939 at Lord's and did not disappoint, taking nine wickets on a blameless pitch, including five in the first innings.

Bill Copson took 146 wickets that year, but World War II put paid to him being a regular Test bowler.

Bill Copson did play one Test in 1947 with almost no success, but retired at the age of 41 in 1949.

Bill Copson was a right-arm fast medium bowler, and took 1,094 first-class wickets at an average of 18.96, with a best performance of 8 for 11.

Bill Copson was a right-hand batsman, and played 359 innings in 279 first-class matches, with an average of 6.81, and a top score of 43.

From 1958 to 1967, Bill Copson was a first-class umpire, but persistent health problems took so much toll, that he died in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, at the age of 63 in 1971.