Len Dolding

Desmond Leonard Dolding (13 December 1922 – 23 November 1954) was an English footballer and cricketer.

Biography

Born in Nundygroog, [South India], Dolding served as a bomb-aimer in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

He was a fine footballer playing as a winger for Chelsea (27 league appearances in 1946 - 1948) and Norwich City (12 appearances). He played non-league football for Wealdstone, Dover and Margate. Played in winning Wealdstone team in Middlesex Sports Red Cross final at Wembley in 1942 - beating RAF, Uxbridge in extra time. (said to be first amateur final played at Wembley) [1]


He was on the MCC staff for seven years. His main claim to fame on the cricket pitch was as a 12th Man for England in the Lord's Test of 1949. He played only once for Middlesex, in 1951, but as a right-arm leg-break bowler took part in many games for MCC.

Death and afterward

On 12 November 1954, Dolding was a passenger in a car that collided with a trolley bus standard in Wembley. The car was being driven by Middlesex teammate Sid Brown. Dolding died on 23 November 1954.

References

  1. ↑ 100 Images of a Works Cricket Team - D.E.Coleman