William Prest

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William Prest (1 April 1832 – 10 February 1885) was a cricketer and footballer born in York. He lived most his life in Sheffield where he went on to become co-founder of Sheffield Football Club and captained Yorkshire at cricket.[1]. He was also involved with the formation of a local regiment, the Hallamshire Rifles, with whom he served with for most of his life.

William was son of William and Arabella Prest and moved with them to Sheffield when his father bought a wine business.[2] There he became a noted cricketer and played cricket for Yorkshire 16 times between 1852 and 1862. He averaged 10.21 as a batter and got at total of 3 wickets for 69 runs as a bowler. All 3 wickets came in the same match.[3] He also was at the meeting at the Adelphi Hotel in 1854 when it was decided to form Sheffield United Cricket Club and build Bramall Lane. He also played in the first cricket match at the venue on 30 April 1855. He was bowled out without scoring a run a thus became the first player to score a duck at the ground.[2]

Prest is most notable for being co-founder of Sheffield F.C. and the Sheffield Rules. He took part in football matches played by Sheffield C.C. from 1855. In 1857 he and Nathaniel Creswick decided to create a football club. The club was officially formed on 24 October with William becoming one of the vice-presidents. The club also established an annual athletics meeting to be held at the end of each season. At the inaugural event, watch by a crowd of 4000, Prest excelled winning a total of 12 events.[2]

In 1859 William Prest was involved with the formation of the 2nd West Yorkshire Rifles, better known as the Hallamshire Rifles.[2] He was involved with the battalion until his death and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died in 10 February 1885 (aged 52) due a seizure caused by a burst blood vessel. His funeral was held at Sheffield General Cemetery three days later with full military honours. The route was lined with several thousand mourners.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Murphy, Brendan (2007). From Sheffield with Love. Sports Books Limited, 38. ISBN 978 1 8999807 56 7. 
  2. ^ a b c d Hutton, Steven; Graham Curry, Peter Goodman (2007). Sheffield FC. At Heart Limited, 24-25. ISBN 9781845471743. 
  3. ^ William Prest. Cricinfo. Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
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