This is a story about W.G. Grace, a man who lived in a time when cricket was not only a game, but a national obsession. He was, in his words, “the father of cricket.” You’re standing in front of a simple blue plaque, celebrating his presence here, in the suburban area of Bromley, in south-east London. Even though this was home to him in his later years, it wasn’t his first home. He was born in Bristol, where he practised as a doctor, with cricket as his hobby.
W.G. Grace’s influence on cricket was immense. He was, and remains, a legendary figure. Grace was loved, admired and even feared, not only for his cricketing skills but also for his personality. He was not only an exceptional batsman, but also a fast bowler. During his 44 seasons of first-class cricket, he scored over 50,000 runs and took almost 3,000 wickets. That’s something most cricketers wouldn’t achieve in their entire lifetime.
His legend spread far and wide, and it was in London that Grace played his final matches. He joined the new London County Club, where he became manager and player. Although Grace retired in 1909, he remained an avid sportsman, playing golf, bowls and curling. He even played cricket for the Eltham team only a year before his death. He was a man who embraced life, which he once described as “a game.”
Grace’s accomplishments in cricket are well documented. He played for England as well as the Gentlemen, the amateur cricketers. But his death in 1915, at the age of 67, marked the end of an era.
Today, there are many tributes to Grace all over the UK. And here, in Bromley, this plaque stands testament to the man who made cricket the sport we know and love today.