Walter Goodyear talks about Derbyshire, former players and gardening

Walter Goodyear

When did you finish with Derbyshire?

1982. I was 65 and to be honest I was glad to get out. Mind you I didn't retire. I took on three jobs – groundsman at Belper, at Quarndon and at Stone, in Staffordshire. The money I got from the three balanced the books – I was no worse off than I was at Derby.

I did all three grounds until 1991, when I had a stroke. Belper released me straight away, but when I recovered I kept going to the others for some time.

It was me that got the Australian touring team to Stone. I worked there for some time and the ground was fine for about ninety yards, but the last twenty-odd yards dropped a level. I said to them that it was about time they did something about it and of course, the reply was “How much will it cost?”

I told them to get me a price for someone to cut the turf and a price for topsoil. I relaid the square with an old chap who was over eighty and we got it finished just before a massive thunderstorm! You have to do it in layers, laying soil and treading it in to firm it – a massive job, but we got there.

Two years later they got the Aussies to the ground. The secretary of the league was there and he came up to me and said “Can I shake your hand? This is all down to you.” They treated my wife and I like royalty and we had a grand day.

Do you still see any of the old players?

Harold Rhodes and his wife pop over regularly – they're very good to me - and I see Bob Taylor and his wife from time to time. Ian Buxton used to come over, so did Les Jackson, but I have outlived most of them.

Were you a keen gardener outside of work? I have visions of you with a lawn that was like a bowling green!

I hated gardening, always have...far too much like work. I kept my garden tidy, but that's all.

When did you last go to the cricket at Derbyshire?

I've not been for three or four years. I had to rely on people getting me there and it's not fair to impose on them. I like to hear that they are doing well, but I couldn't go to games these days.

I think only Will Taylor has exceeded your span at the club. That must be a source of pride?

Well, I only joined the club in 1938, as my time at Chesterfield didn't really count. It was 44 years, less the war years. So only 38 years...

What would you say was your favourite era?

I took it all in my stride and I treated them all the same. Mind you, it was always busy though.