Mexborough and Swinton Times April 6, 1928
Roy’s Beginning.
Roy was the second son of Mr and Mrs. Seth Kilner, of the Half Way House, Wombwell. There were originally eleven children—seven boys and four girls—and the first born, Bernard, lost his life in the war. Mr. Seth Kilner, to whom Roy’s death is a grievous blow, was one of the pioneers of cricket in the Wombwell district. In 1905 both Roy and his father played for Mitchell Main, and in that season Roy ‘s uncle, the late Irving Washington, was in the same team, the latter having just returned from South Africa, where he thad been recuperating after his breakdown. Figuring in the Mitchell Main averages for that season are I Washington, T. Lee, E. Russell, S. Kilner, H. White, J. W. Robinson, J. Senior, J. W. Hoskinson, H Lawton, W. Hargreaves, D. Thomas, W. Stothard, J. Lisle, R. Kilner, and R. Needham.
This was Roy’s first season in Mexboro’ League cricket, and he was then 15 years of age. He figured in two-innings—against Wath (h) and Swinton (a) —scored two runs and took two wicket s for 33 runs.
About Roy Kilner’s early associations with the Mitchell Main C.C., Jim senior, who has been connected with the club for 30 years, cherishes some interesting recollections.
“As a lad,” he told a Mexborough and Swinton Times representative, “Roy lived in the cottage in Netherwood Road opposite the Mitchell Main cricket ground. He was brought there as a baby, and it may settle some arguments if I mention that he was born in George Street, Low Valley, in the parish of Darfield, a few yards from where the river bridge divides Darfield from Wombwell. He was a bright happy-go-lucky youngster that no one could help liking. I remember him knocking about the cricket field almost as soon as he could walk. He seemed to be keenly interested in the game was a great admirer of his uncle Irving. He was not satisfied with watching cricket, but wanted to be playing. As soon as they would let him he had hold of a bat and one could always be sure of a game if Roy was there.
” Contrary to the general impression, Roy first showed promise as a bowler. He developed a certain amount of skill as a slow arm bowler before he played League cricket at all. Roy always had an ambition to get, on as a cricketer, and this ambition was heightened by the success achieved by his uncle Irving. The latter saw possibilities in him and devoted no end of attention to bringing him out. Roy was an apt pupil and Irving vas patience itself.
” The day came when Irving earned relatively big .sums as a professional cricketer, and I well remember the occasion probably you (have heard the story yourself—when Irving showed Roy a bundle of notes. This fired Roy’s ambition more than anything. The lad’s eyes ‘glistened at what he thought at the time was ‘ easy money.’ Irving remarked that Roy would get some of those if he played well enough, After that, Roy’s one idea was to play for his county.
“As a lad Roy had charm ‘of manner that made him popular with everybody. He was a great trier and never seemed to know when beaten. We always used to look forward to his coming home. He was good company and would crack a joke with anyone. His death is a terrible blow to everybody at Mitchell Main.”
Mexborough and Swinton Times April 6, 1928
An Historic Match.
During his associations with Mexboro’ League cricket, Roy Kilner figured in some epic battles. One episode in his early career, however, stands out above all others, and it will be talked of long after, the present generatiOn” of cricket enthusiasts have handed in their bats. It occurred on. June 19th, 1909, when Mitchell Main played Wombwell Main at Wombwell. What memories this will arouse !
Mitchell Main 253 for 3 R Kilner 103*, I Washington 112*
Wombwell Main 87 for 6
The feature of the game, of course, was the ” double ” of uncle and nephew—the one a cricketer with a great past-, the other a rising star with a brilliant future. Around this great occasion much legend has been woven, but the facts, as related by Roy himself are that it was a ” besting ” affair. It was a brilliantly fine day and a batsman’s holiday. Irving said (the pitch looked good enough for a hundred, and Roy remarked that if his uncle could get a century on it he could do likewise.)
He suited the action to the word and after playing a flashing bat he retired to the pavilion to the accompaniment of deafening cheers from the crowd.
From that point Kilner’ts fame spread and shortly afterward, he appeared with the Yorkshire Second XI. He played occasionally with Barnsley, and in one game with Bradford before embracing professionalism with Harrogate, with which he was associated for three seasons