Robert Allan Fitzgerald
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 England (ENG) |
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| [[Image:-->|154px|Robert Allan Fitzgerald]] | ||
| Batting style | Right-handed batsman (RHB) | |
| Bowling type | Round arm Right-arm fast bowler | |
| First-class record | ||
| Matches | 46 | |
| Runs scored | 1123 | |
| Batting average | 15.59 | |
| 100s/50s | 0/5 | |
| Top score | 91* | |
| Balls bowled | 256 | |
| Wickets | 7 | |
| Bowling average | 28 | |
| 5 wickets in innings | 0 | |
| 10 wickets in match | 0 | |
| Best Bowling | 3/23 | |
| Catches/Stumpings | 34/0 | |
| First class debut: May, 1854 Last first class game: August, 1874 Source: [1] |
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Robert Allan Fitzgerald (1 October 1834 - 28 October 1881) was arguably the most influential cricketer and administrator who together with W.G.Grace helped to restore MCC's sunken prestige in the 1860s to regain its power and influence over the game of cricket for the next 150 years. Fitz as he was popularly known was a good English cricketer, MCC Secretary and writer.
Fitz was born at Purley House in Berkshire, but was brought up at Shalstone Manor, Bucks - his grandmother - Sarah Anne Elizabeth Purefoy Jervoise' family home. He was educated at Harrow - 1847 - 1852 where he played for the Harrow XI in 1852 and Trinity College, Cambridge where he played for Cambridge University 1854 and 1856.
As a right-handed batsman and a round-arm right-arm fast bowler, he represented Cambridge University, MCC, Middlesex, in 46 first-class matches between 1854 and 1874. He also enthusiastically played for I Zingari, the Gentleman of MCC, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Between 1854 and 1874 he played 50 matches per year and in 1866 scored over 1,000 runs.
Fitz was popular and witty; both verbally and in his writings. 'Whether it was the magnificence of his swagger, the luxuriance of his beard, the fun that rolled out of him so easily, or the power of his swiping, I do not know, but as regards each he could not escape notice' wrote Lord Harris who accompanied Fitz on his famous Tour of America in 1872. Fitzgerald's book - 'Wickets in the West' published in 1873 records this most historic tour which also included W.G.Grace. W.G.Grace was proposed by Fitz in 1867 as a member of the MCC which was arguably Fitzgerald's most important masterstroke in helping restore MCC and the amateur gentleman's fortunes on the cricket field.
As Secretary of the MCC (1863-1876), Fitz also galvanised the MCC to greater influence 'off the field' and helped restore Lord's ground and facilities. He became the MCC's first paid secretary in 1865. Fitzgerald was both a reformer and innovator; despite the conservatism and 'laissez faire' attitude of the MCC committee.
He was brother-in-law to his close friend Hon Sir Edward Chandos Leigh. Both Eddy and Fitz took the I Zingari on regular tours to Ireland, Paris in 1867 and around the country estates of England and Wales. Both enjoyed the pleasures of touring and entertaining their hosts in amateur dramatics. This is beautifully recorded in Fitzgerald's own cricketing scrapbook and also John Lorraine Baldwin's scrapbooks dating back to the start of the I Zingari in 1845.
Alas, he perhaps drove himself too hard or enjoyed the pleasures of cricket touring too much, for his health gradually deteriorated and he was asked to resign as MCC secretary in 1876. It is speculated that Fitz contracted neurosyphilis, which similarily affected other great men including Lord Randolph Churchill and other cricketers. This was a tragedy at such an early age. He died at his home in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, at the age of 47. He was sadly missed by his cricketing friends. Speculation about his illness probably tarnished his reputation and his place in cricketing history. This is unjust and unfair.
A tangible memorial to him is on display at the MCC museum - his illustrated scrapbooks recording matches played between 1859 - 1866. The book contains the earliest cricketing photographs taken. Fitzgerald was also a keen amateur photographer.
Fitzgerald also wrote a humorous book titled 'Jerks in from Short Leg' published in 1865 and contributed to numerous cricketing publications including 'Bells Life' between 1859 - 1874. He also proof-read Haygarth's Score & Biographies which the MCC supported during his time as secretary.
The cricketing world and more specifically the MCC owes more to Robert Allan Fitzgerald than it has thus far acknowledged; accepting Tony Lewis' recognition in his book 'Double Century'. Would the MCC have survived or have continued its influence over cricket for 200 years without Robert Allan Fitzgerald's stewardship between 1863 - 1876?
The Hon Sir Edward Chandos Leigh as President of the MCC in 1887 at the MCC's first centenary dinner speech paid suitable homage to Fitz. In his autobiography 'Bar, Bat and Bit', he says 'It was, I think, a fortunate thing for the Club and for the cricketing world generally when he became secretary, for a new era seems to have dawned at Lord's with his arrival, and all the vast improvements which took place there owed their origin, inception, and development to his fertile brain and his untiring energy'.
