ATTIS ECB Yorkshire Premier League North 
Y&DSCL Hall of Fame entrants - March 2007 
 
 
 
 
 
Bill Carter 
 
Acomb 
 
Bill is one of a rare breed who has stayed loyal to one club throughout his cricket life and has, thus, been a stalwart;wart of the Acomb club since joining in 1957.Like many of his fellow glovemen he does not receive the statistical praise his undoubted ability deserves due to lack of records. He was a resolute batsman who made a best of 73no. His inclusion, though, reflects his dedication to his club who he has served in a number of capacities, and his work for the League Committee. He was well respected as a long serving member of the Umpires' Panel and won their 'Best Marked Umpire' Award on four occasions. 
 
 
 
 
 
Jim Collis 
 
Rowntrees, Huntington, Sheriff Hutton Bridge, Heworth 
Jim can truly be regarded as 'Legendary', having made memorable impacts with four clubs and been a central figure in numerable post match ‘discussion sessions’ in the bar. His heyday stretched from the late fifties until the early eighties. He was an extremely useful opening bowler who was always confident that he would get the required breakthrough. He grabbed all ten wickets against York Railway Institute in 1969 with figures of 10-18 which remains one of the best bowling figures ever. He recorded a further three eight wicket hauls and had a seasonal best of 78 at an average of 8.33 in 1969 whilst playing for Huntington. 
 
 
 
 
 
Tony Frith 
 
Tadcaster 
 
Although Tony's Impact as a player does not merit much space in the archives, he was an extremely effective captain for Tadcaster and led his side to the league championship in 1967. However, it is for the leadership qualities on the League Committee that he merits inclusion. He became Assistant Secretary in 1983 and did a record stint of 16 years as Chairman during a period when the League expanded from 35 to 45 clubs. He played a major role in the creation of the Premier Division and steered the committee through some testing times. He subsequently served as President. His services to the Yorkshire Cricket Association put the league on the map and this was strengthened when he became a member of the Yorkshire Cricket Board. He also served as Chairman of the Nixon inter-league competition. 
 
 
 
 
 
Fred Mason 
 
Woodhouse Grange, Rowntrees 
Fred was a stalwart of Woodhouse Grange club both on the field as an extremely effective bowler and off the field in any ways apart from a short spell with York in the early 1980s and two years at Rowntrees in 1994-95 when he extended his successful playing career in the lower divisions before returning to his spiritual base at Sutton-on-Derwent. Records show that he qualified for the batting averages in 26 seasons and captured over 1,122 wickets . He headed the top division averages in 1973, had a best haul of 68 wickets in 1975 and helped Woodhouse lift the League Championship in 1972. When his playing days were over he did a lot for junior cricket at the club and assisted with fund raising. He was an ever present spectator at 1st XI matches and his proudest moment was when the club won their first National Village Knockout Final at Lords in 1995. 
 
 
 
 
 
Colin Pringle 
 
Thirsk 
 
Colin’s connections with Thirsk go back to before 1957 when league records were established. Handbook qualifications merited entry in 37 seasons as a batsman between 1957 and 1993 and four times as a bowler. His most prolific season was 1982 when he made 615 runs in the top division whilst the highest of his two centuries saw him make 115no against York RI in 1964 with an unbeaten 103 against Tadcaster fifteen years later. Available records credit him with 12,424 runs at an average of 26.38 and his best wicket haul was 31 in 1969. 
 
 
 
 
 
Dave Rippon 
 
Osbaldwick 
Dave served as secretary of Osbaldwick, from their entry into the League in 1972, for over 40 years. Not only was he the administrative lynchpin during that time, but, as groundsman, he gained a reputation for maintaining one of the best playing surfaces in the League. He was an extremely effective wicket keeper and late order batsman. He also served as captain of the club for many years. He served nine years as Assistant League Secretary with the specific role of Representative Team Manager.  
 
 
 
 
 
Brian Shirley 
 
Sheriff Hutton Bridge 
 
 
Brian was a wicket keeper batsman who was widely regarded as one of the best keepers outside the first class game and was particularly impressive at dealing with leg side deliveries. After making his mark in the York Senior League he went on to an even more illustrious career in both the Yorkshire and Bradford Leagues before returning to SHB. As a batsman, he twice topped 500 runs in the top division and made two centuries, his best being 112 against Bolton Percy in 1984 when he came 3rd in the batting averages. It was, however, as a wicket keeper where he made his biggest contribution. Keeper records are only available from 1988 but he was leading keeper in all four seasons until his premature retirement in 1991 and his 20 stumpings in 1988 remains an all division record. After ending his playing days, Brian became a very successful umpire and served for 17 years as a league committee member. 
 
 
 
 
Alasdair Swann 
 
Woodhouse Grange 
 
As with the other wicket keepers in the Hall of Fame, Alasdair's record behind the stumps is incomplete. He first appears in the records for the 1958 season with a batting average of 30.75 and a highest score of 99. He went on to score three centuries with a best of 119 against Easingwold in 1965. His best aggregate was 600 in 1962. His main contribution, though, was as wicket keeper and exceptional captain whose leadership brought much success to his beloved club. Whilst his playing record is very good, it pales into insignificance compared with his value to the club as motivator, groundmsman and 'general factotum'. For many years, the terms 'Alasdair Swann' and 'Woodhouse Grange' were inseparable and he, like Fred Mason, had his proudest moment at Lords in 1995. The 'family club' environment that he helped create still persists with his two daughters still involved and his two grandsons key members of the 1st XI during their playing time.  
 
 
 
 
 
Eric Wallis 
 
Tadcaster 
Eric has a valid claim to being the League's best all rounder. Records credit him with 13,072 runs and 810 wickets but, like many other players of his era is missing data from early in his career. He qualified for both the bowling and batting averages on over 20 occasions. His highest aggregate runs was 689 at an average of 53.00 and his highest of his eight centuries was 135no against Bolton Percy in 1979. His best bowling figures were 9-50 against Bedale in 1984 and his best haul was 52 wickets in 1986. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Worsnop 
 
Thirsk 
David’s inclusion is in recognition of his long service to the Thirsk club and also to the League. However, his playing ability is also worthy of mention. He qualified for the bowling averages in 19 seasons with his 57 wickets in 1975 being his best return. He had a top score of 61no. Dave was Thirsk club secretary for 15 years and served on the League Committee for 25 years. During this period he was Assistant Secretary responsible for Discipline and Grounds & Facilities. He also served Vice Chairman for four years. Upon retiring as a player, he became a panel umpires and was Treasurer of the York & Scarborough Area Cricket Council.