John Clay (cricketer, born 1924)

John Desmond Clay (born 25 October 1924, in West Bridgford, Nottingham, and died 11 February 2011, in West Bridgford, Nottingham) was a right-handed batsman who played for Nottinghamshire between 1948 and 1961, captaining the side in his final year.

John's leadership was historic: for the only time in the 20th century before Gentlemen became players a professional, John D Clay, was chosen to captain the Trent Bridge side.

A first-class all-rounder, John scored 9,991 runs in 236 matches at 26.08 for Nottinghamshire during his career. His highest score came in 1952 when he made 192 against Hampshire at Trent Bridge. John was also an excellent slip fielder, holding a further record of six catches in a match against Derbyshire.

After his first-class cricket career, John went on to captain and mentor Nottinghamshire's second team. Writing in Wisden Cricketers magazine in 2011, Peter Wynne-Thomas, NCCC's archivist, said: 'This was an ideal role for an ideal cricketer who always saw the best in his fellow players.'

John followed NCCC all his life. He played for Notts Public Schools while a pupil at the West Bridgford School in the 1930s. This took him during tournaments to Nottingham's world-renowned Test arena. John continued to be a regular visitor to international and county cricket matches at Trent Bridge after his career there, where he was instrumental in setting up the supporters' club.

Outside of cricket in his later years, John was manager at Middleton's newsagents in West Bridgford before working at Boots until his retirement.

Prior to his cricket career, John served in the RAF in London during the Second World War.

He was married to his wife, Sheila, for over 60 years and had 2 children, 6 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. One of 14 children, John lived throughout his life within half a mile - and earshot of - Trent Bridge.