William George Dyas was born in Madeley on 6th November 1872. He was a remarkable all round sportsman who captained Ironbridge F.C. for several seasons playing ‘right wing forward’. In 1902 he represented Shropshire against Blackburn Rovers at Shrewsbury and later played for Ironbridge against Aston Villa in the Birmingham Senior Cup. That match was played at Hill Top (now part of the Abraham Darby playing fields).

He was invited to play inside right with the legendary Billy Bassett for West Bromwich Albion but was forced to decline for business reasons. After taking an active part in the football world for thirteen years he retired in 1903.

While captain of Madeley Cricket Club he represented the county on several occasions. During 1901 – 2, at the invitation of Dr. W.G. Grace, he played first class cricket several times for London County at the Crystal Palace & elsewhere (alongside Grace and C.B. Fry). He was one of the early members of the Shropshire Gentlemen.

W.G.Grace, Bill Murdoch, William Dyas, L. Poidevin, R.M.Bell 1902 Crystal Palace

He also represented Midland Counties at hockey on eleven occasions and captained the team in 1904-5. He played hockey for England against Scotland in 1903 and later became President of the Shropshire Hockey Association.

He was awarded an MBE in the 1920 New Year’s Honours List. The award was for war services when WG acted as superintendent of one of his majesty’s magazines (military stores) for the Ministry of Munitions.

He was also very active in local politics. In March 1923 he was instrumental in settling a local miners’ strike and was given a public vote of thanks.

For many years he lived in the family home ‘The Villa’ (then in Park Avenue and now part of Russell Road) but ended his days at Upper House which had come into Dyas family possession by marriage when W.J. Legge died in 1937 without leaving an heir.

He died on 14th January 1940 and is buried in St. Michael’s churchyard, Madeley.

William Dyas and W.G.Grace 1901
Playing for London County

150 – not out

Madeley Cricket Club has been celebrating 150 years of cricketing success and a ‘Cricket Week’ was held from 25th – 30th July 2004 to mark this very special anniversary. One of the half dozen matches planned for the week the highlight was a match against an MCC XI – which Madeley won by six wickets! The MCC batted first and were bowled out for 152, ensuring that the host side reached their target easily with the loss of only four wickets and with more than 13 overs to spare. Madeley’s top scorer was Steve Jones who made 45.

A fascinating booklet (price £4) is also available telling the story of the club from its early years in the mid 1850s to the present day and including lots of anecdotes about the many fascinating characters who have been associated with the club over the years.

MCC XI

The earliest organised match the book’s author was able to trace took place against Shifnal in 1855 and, by the following year, the game was sufficiently well-established for the playing ground to be known generally as ‘the cricket field’. On 30th June 1925 the ground was purchased from the Madeley Wood Company for the princely sum of £200 providing the club with a very useful financial asset. Eighty years later the Madeley Cricket Club continues to go from strength to strength with a series of successful seasons. We look forward to the next 150 years…

Madeley Cricket Club