South Yorkshire Times August 22, 1959

Wilf Broadhead’s Council Record stood For Twenty-Two Years 

A Yorkshire Council batting record which has stood for 22 years was broken recently when Leeds batsman and former Yorkshire captain, Billy Sutcliffe — in a season of prolific run-getting — reached a total of 936 runs.

“A great performance,” was the sporting comment of the previous holder of the record, Broadhead (56), of 37, Street, Mexborough.

Mr. Broadhead, N.C.B. No. 3 Area Assistant, Chief Draughtsman, recalled that in 1937, he reached a total of 906 runs which included two centuries. “And it was a bad season for weather at that. I went to the crease eight times and my lowest score was 60,” he said. Mr. Broadhead said he would be sending a telegram of congratulations to the new holder.

A native of East Ardsley, near Leeds, Mr. Broadhead began his cricket career at 15 with the local club, where he remained for two seasons. He attained professional status with Castleford and later assisted Elland.

He came to Mexborough in 1925 and skippered the team during his seven years association with the club. It was during this period that he came under the scrutiny of the county selectors and was selected to play for a representative Yorkshire Council eleven against Yorkshire. “I scored a half-century in this match, and as a result I played regularly for the Colts during the 1927/8 seasons,” said Mr. Broadhead.

Played For County

Perhaps the proudest and yet the most disastrous moment in his career was when he was selected to play for the county against Kent at Tunbridge. He was deputising for the illustrious parent of the new record holder, Herbert Sutcliffe, who was on Test duty.

” I remember Kent went in on the Saturday and ran up a big total,” he continued. ” On Sunday there was a heavy storm and we had to bat on a real ‘sticky dog ‘ against ‘ Tich ‘ Freeman at his best. Need I say more,” added Mr. Broadhead, with a smile. “It was most disastrous from my point of view,” he said. His opening partner on this occasion was Percy Holmes.

Mr. Boadhead said this was his first and only appearance for the county, but added: ” It was almost an impossible task to gain county recognition in those days with people like Maurice Leyland, Edgar Holroyd, Arthur Mitchell, Herbert Sutcliffe and Hedley Verity all in their pomp.”

After assisting Mexborough Mr. Broadhead went to Retford in 1932, replacing the old Notts. player, J. Gunn as professional. He was afterwards appointed professional at Barnsley, where he stayed for three years.

Council Champions

The twilight of his career was spent at Swinton who he joined in 1938. Under his captaincy the club won the Yorkshire Council championship.