Albert Craig

Albert Craig (2 September 1849 – 8 July 1909) was commonly known as The Surrey Poet, although he never used the term himself, instead signing his pieces as "A.C. Cricket Rhymester". He would attend cricket and football matches to write verses and short essays describing the players and events, then had them printed on broadsheets and sold to the crowd. His poetry was not renowned for any literary merit but he was a popular and well-known figure, thanks to his good nature and his ready wit.

Early life Craig was born in Meltham, Huddersfield, Yorkshire. When as a young man he found employment as a post office clerk in the Bradford area, he found that his topical verses went down well with his workmates. Encouraged by this, he obtained permission from Yorkshire to sell his verses at Park Avenue during a match against Gloucestershire. Going to the match, he wrote one piece on George Ulyett and another on Fred Grace. He sold a thousand copies in two hours, earning as much as in two months as a clerk. Before long he gave up the post office and moved to London to try to make his living from his verse.

In July 1906 he wrote an 18 line verse to mark the young Jack Hobbs' innings of 162 not out against Worcestershire at The Oval.

According to Easterbrook, in a 1908 FA Cup match between Chelsea and Northampton Town, the crowd became angry at a refereeing decision and at the end of the game attempted to invade the pitch. However Craig confronted them and shouted: "Boys, do nothing tonight that you will regret tomorrow. I have been your captain for twenty-six years, so take my advice and go home." The crowd complied, and Chelsea sent him an official letter of thanks.

Death

He died in Clapham, South London from an abscess on the lung. During his final illness he received a letter sent from Marlborough House which read: "Dear Sir—The Prince of Wales much regrets to hear that you have been seriously indisposed. His Royal Highness desires me to express his earnest hope that you health may be restored and that your friends may soon be able to welcome you back to The Oval. Yours faithfully, Arthur Bigge."

Bobby Abel was his closest friend in cricket and on Craig's death he took the responsibility for arranging his funeral, which many well-known cricketers attended.

After his death, a book of his collected work was published: