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Special commemoration for former Westoe and South Shields club stalwart

A commemorative plaque was unveiled at Woods Terrace, South Shields yesterday to mark the service of the late Alex Coxon. His daughter Jocelyn Booker, the first lady committee member at the club, performed the unveiling at a newly built verandah attached to the clubhouse.

Ex-Yorkshire fast bowler Coxon, who began his career in the Huddersfield League with Dalton, became a Durham Senior League legend as one of its very finest professionals, first during eight seasons for Sunderland from 1951 and then a six-year tenure at South Shields.

At the age of 76 in 1992 he returned to the Wood Terrace club – where his daughter Jocelyn was the first lady committee member – to coach the youngsters.

And in his later years until his death four days after his 90th birthday in January, 2006, Alec was a regular at the ground as a keen supporter of both the cricket team and associated Westoe Rugby Club.

Tall, lean and famously belligerent on the field but sociable and gregarious off it, Alec played once for England at Lord’s in 1948 against the Australians and, although his appeal was turned down, always vowed he had the mighty Don Bradman plumb lbw before he had scored!

Disappointed at not being selected for the 1950-51 England tour of Australia, he became the region’s first £1,000-a-year professional and, always a stickler for the highest standards, made an immediate impact, his figures speaking for themselves.

For Sunderland, he took 753 league wickets, including 100 in three seasons, for just 8.73 runs each, as well as scoring 3,764 runs in correct, solid fashion at an average of 34.21. For South Shields, although beyond the age of 40, he added 357 victims (10.12) and 2,027 runs (23.84) to those tallies.

Mr Bill Dodds, chairman of the South Shields and Westoe Club – which incorporates the cricket and rugby, as well as tennis and squash, sections – said: “I can think of no other person in the last 50 years who commanded more admiration, awe and respect

“He was a consummate cricket professional and later, as an ardent and unforgiving spectator at both games, expected nothing less from today’s players – and they knew it!”

Rugby Club chairman John Tighe said: “Alec was a colourful character with very decided views on everything. Popular with players, officials and supporters alike, he followed the First team everywhere and came to be regarded as something of a mascot.”

From The Huddersfield daily Examiner

In other sporting news this weekend, South Shields Mariners failed to secure promotion after being defeated 0 – 2 by Norton and Stockton Ancients in front of 250 supporters (and David Miliband MP) at Filtrona Park. They return to action on Tuesday night when they entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland RCA at Filtrona Park.

Great news I can get along and support our local team at last.

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