Frank Silcock

Frank Silcock (2 October 1838 – 26 May 1897) was an English first-class cricketer and a founding member of Essex County Cricket Club. Debuting in first-class cricket in 1864, Silcock made 41 appearances in first-class cricket from 1864–1879, scoring 776 runs and taking 79 wickets. Regarded as one of the best professionals of his time to play for Essex, he was instrumental in the foundation of Essex County Cricket Club in 1876 and played for the county until 1887. He later stood as an umpire in first-class matches between 1889–1892.

Cricket career Silcock was born at Sawbridgeworth and grew up in Chipping Ongar, Essex. He began playing cricket at the age of seventeen and was originally a saddler by profession. He was employed as a cricket coach by several notable public schools, starting with Uppingham in 1864. including taking what would be career best first-class figures when he took 7 for 132 against the Gentlemen at The Oval. He featured in six first-class matches in 1869, taking a further 15 wickets at 22.86. He had returned to Eton to coach in 1871, a position he held until 1874. He made five first-class appearances in 1874, taking 9 wickets at 15.55, His last major season of first-class cricket came the following year in 1876, when he made three appearances, taking a single wicket. during which time he was considered one of the finest professionals to play for the county. He was a founding member of Essex County Cricket Club in 1876 and captained the Players of Essex against the Gentlemen of Essex in a match to celebrate the occasion at Brentwood. The year prior to the formation of the county club, Silcock was keeping a cricket warehouse at Chipping Ongar. In 1879, Silcock appeared in his 41st and final first-class match, playing for a London United Eleven against the United North of England Eleven at Birmingham. He continued to play for Essex until 1887,

He died at Marden Ash in May 1897. His cousin, Joseph Silcock, also played for Essex as a professional, but did not feature in first-class matches.