15 Facts About Johnnie Clay

John Charles Clay was a Welsh cricketer who played first-class cricket for Glamorgan from 1921 to 1949.

Johnnie Clay played one Test match for England in 1935.

Johnnie Clay was born in Bonvilston, Glamorgan, the son of Charles and Margaret Johnnie Clay.

Johnnie Clay served in France in the First World War as a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery.

Johnnie Clay married Gwenllian Mary Homfray at Cowbridge in 1928, and they had three sons.

At Winchester College, Johnnie Clay bowled mostly fast but occasionally leg-spin.

Johnnie Clay first played for Glamorgan as a fast bowler in 1920, the year before they achieved first-class status, but switched to off-spin after some back trouble.

Johnnie Clay played for the club till 1949, as captain from 1924 to 1927 and then again in 1929 and 1946, when they finished sixth, their best position to that time, and at the age of 48 he took 120 wickets at an average of 12.72.

In 1935 Johnnie Clay was called up to play a Test match for England at the Oval against South Africa, but did not take a wicket and did not bat.

Johnnie Clay was a useful lower-order batsman who hit two centuries, with a highest of 115 not out against the New Zealanders in 1927.

Johnnie Clay contributed an annual essay to the Glamorgan County Cricket Club Yearbook from 1933 to 1950.

Johnnie Clay served as President of Glamorgan from 1961 until his death in 1973.

Outside cricket Johnnie Clay had various business interests which often prevented him from playing cricket, which he always played as an amateur.

Johnnie Clay was a fan of horse-racing and was the owner of several long-distance steeplechasers.

Johnnie Clay served as secretary of the Glamorgan Hunt, and steward and director of Chepstow Racecourse, which had been laid out in the grounds of his family home at Piercefield Park in the 1920s.