26 Facts About Francis Lacey

Sir Francis Eden Lacey was an English cricketer, cricket administrator and barrister.

Francis Lacey made additional appearances in first-class cricket for Cambridge University and the Marylebone Cricket Club, amongst others.

Francis Lacey was instrumental in the formation of the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909, the forerunner of the International Cricket Council, which set in motion the global governance of the game.

Francis Lacey remained secretary of the MCC until 1926, and following his retirement he later served as president of both Hampshire County Cricket Club and Wiltshire County Cricket Club.

Francis Lacey was awarded a knighthood for his services to cricket in the 1926 Birthday Honours list, becoming the first person to be knighted for services to any sport.

The youngest son of William Francis Lacey, he was born in October 1859 at Wareham, Dorset.

Francis Lacey was educated at Sherborne School, where he captained the school in both cricket and football.

Francis Lacey graduated from Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts in 1882.

Francis Lacey appeared for Hampshire during the summer break from university in 1881 and 1882, in addition playing first-class cricket for Cambridge University Cricket Club three times in 1882, including in The University Match against Oxford University at Lord's.

Francis Lacey gained his cricket blue in cricket in 1882, in addition to gaining a blue in football the previous year.

Francis Lacey was club captain from 1888 to 1894, succeeding Arthur Wood.

In 1887, in a minor match against Norfolk at Southampton, Francis Lacey made 323 not out, which remains as of 2025 the highest individual score in a second-class fixture in England.

Francis Lacey played for Hampshire until 1897, having made 33 appearances for the county in first-class cricket.

At the start of the First World War, Francis Lacey issued a statement to confirm the cessation of cricket during the conflict and the placing of Lord's at the disposal of the War Office.

Francis Lacey retired as secretary in 1926 and was succeeded by William Findlay.

In December 1926, a presentation was made to Francis Lacey following a meeting of the county secretaries, in which they gifted him a motor vehicle and an illuminated book containing appreciations from all the first-class and minor counties clubs for his time as secretary.

Francis Lacey enjoyed a good working relationship with Lord Harris, regarded as the dominant presence on the MCC committee.

Francis Lacey was elected president of Hampshire County Cricket Club for a two-year term in 1928.

Francis Lacey later served as president of Wiltshire County Cricket Club, guiding the club to become debt free for the first time in its history in 1932.

Francis Lacey remained club president until 1946, when ill health necessitated Sir Henry Everitt to deputise for him in a meeting to discuss the resumption of cricket following the Second World War.

Francis Lacey married secondly Mary Marshall, former wife of J Campbell Walker.

Francis Lacey served in the First World War with the Secret Service, from its start in 1914 to 1919, the year following its conclusion.

Francis Lacey was knighted in the 1926 Birthday Honours for services to cricket and was the first sportsman to be knighted for services to any sport.

Francis Lacey's portrait was painted by George Spencer Watson in 1928.

Francis Lacey died on 26 May 1946 at his home, Sutton Veny House in the Wiltshire village of Sutton Veny, and was survived by his wife.

Francis Lacey was remembered by Sir Pelham Warner as "a man of high character and integrity".