SURREY POET PASSES AWAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14145, 21 August 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

SURREY POET PASSES AWAY

FAMILIAR FIGURE AT CRICKET

AND FOOTBALL MATCHES. Tire death' is announced- of Albert Craig, the '• Surrey Poet," a familiar figure at firstclass ,cricket and .association football matches, at the age of 59. After a long illness he passed away in Mayflower Road, Clapham. .'.■'■

For close upon 27 years Mr. Craig's familiar figure has been seen on every cricket and football ground of note throughout the United Kingdom, and his cheery personality and good-humoured banter have lightened many a weary hour of waiting.

The cricket poet started his career as clerk in the post office, and had it not been for writing a few lines on William Bates at Dewsbury, which sold like wildfire, he might have continued in that pursuit. Then he came to London with an excursion ticket, and it was his proud boast that he never used the return half. He used to write verses on his pet subjects of more than an average quality, and sell them to the'spectators at important matches.

Craig did not devote his efforts entirely to filling his own pockets, for he made some very large collections for charity, and when the Australians were beaten by Kent in 1900 he made a collection on the ground which amounted to close upon £19 per man.

As a wit he had no equal on the cricket ground, and was famous for his smart repartee, and many are the good stories told of ready answers. The proudest moment of the poet's life occurred last year at a football match between Northampton and Chelsea. Objecting to the referee's ruling, the spectators threatened to rush the ground. Craig was equal to the occasion. Jumping on a box, he called out: " Boys, do nothing to-night that you will regret to-morrow. 1 have been your captain for 26 years, so take my advice and go home." They did go, and he afterwards received the thanks of the committee for saving the reputation of the club. HOW CRAIG WON A BET. The fact that he conquered the authorities at Lord's and gained their permission to sell his* pamphlets within the St. John's Wood enclosure proves that his personality was not merely that of a public jester. Those cricket directors who gave him certain privileges had good cause to bless their own wisdom, for not once, but many times, Craig, by his ready wit, banished the ugly temper of a crowd that might have.proved troublesome but for his persuasive eloquence. At the Oval on a wet day play had ceased on account of rain, and in the football stand at the far side of the ground there was a handful of spectators. So few did they appear that some of the Surrey professionals bet him some small amount" he would not go round to that stand and sell half-a-crown's worth of his verses. At once he accepted that challenge, and was very carefully watched as he proceeded to sell exactly thirty-three. He had intended shortly to write his reminiscences of the cricket field, in which work it is understood Lord Hawke, the popular Yorkshire captain, had expressed a wish to finance him. Craig leaves a widow and a grown-up family. He had been seriously ill for some-months, the state of his health being the subject of an inquiry by the Prince of Wales a few weeks ago. Craig's last poem, given beneath, was written f„r the "Grand Final at the Palace," between Manchester United and Bristol City:

If exciting Cup Tie fighting Is a pastime you delight in, , You'll have your heart's desire complete this day Not a moment will be dreary, Not a man grow faint or weary. They're the kind of " sports " "that " travel all the way."

See " yon " . game Mancunian party, So.hopeful, gay, and hearty. They pin their faith in Meredith end Co.; Whilst, the Bristol section tell us That Wedlock'—-best of fellowsDeclares they'll win— Wedlock ought lo Lt.'w

And when the conflict's over, And the winners rest in clover, When manfully they've pulled the struggle through. We'll applaud our conquering brothers, And we'll likewise cheer the others. For there's very little difference 'twut ib« two. 'Very soon after he wrote these lines, he had to take to his bed.