George Raikes

George Barkley Raikes (14 March 1873 – 18 December 1966) was an English sportsman and clergyman. As a sportsman, he played first-class cricket for Oxford University and Hampshire, as well as playing association football at international level for the England national football team. His ecclesiastical career lasted from his ordination in 1897, to his retirement in 1936.

Early life and education Raikes was born at Carleton Forehoe near Wymondham in Norfolk, Raikes was the second son of Francis Raikes, a clergyman. He grew up at Hedenham Hall in south Norfolk and was educated at Shrewsbury School. At Shrewsbury, he played for and captained the school cricket team, his appearance in that season's University Match against Cambridge University earned him the first of his two blues. He made four further appearances for Oxford in 1895, followed by seven in 1896. With his right-arm fast-medium bowling, he took 46 wickets at a bowling average of 20.39; claiming two five wicket hauls, with best figures of 6 for 62. His bowling was typically utilised in short spells, with Raikes heading the Oxford bowling averages in 1894 and 1895.

Raikes played in Norfolk's inaugural Minor Counties Championship match against Lincolnshire in 1895, though after top-scoring with 27 in Norfolk's first innings, he was recalled midway through the match by Oxford captain Gerald Mordaunt to travel to Maidstone to play against Kent. He made six appearances that season, including as captain in Norfolk's second match against Hertfordshire. In the 1896 Minor Counties Championship he would make a further three appearances, and after graduating from Oxford, Raikes played for Norfolk in the 1897 Minor Counties Championship, His successful start continued in his second match against Warwickshire, when he scored 60 runs and took four wickets, while in his third match against Yorkshire, he top-scored with 77 in Hampshire's second innings. The following season, he made a further five appearances, before making a final appearance against Derbyshire in the 1902 County Championship. He was known to field predominantly at mid-off, taking thirty catches during his first-class career. There is some dispute over whether Raikes captained England in their international against Ireland on 7 March 1896, with Gilbert Smith and Lewis Vaughan Lodge the other potential candidates for captain. The list provided by the FA does not include Raikes as an England captain, however both the Irish Saturday Night and The Irish Times gave Raikes the captaincy.

Raikes seldom played football at club level, but did represent both the Casuals and Corinthian. The majority of his football came while studying at Oxford, with Raikes retiring from playing at the age of 23 in order to concentrate on his ecclesiastical duties. He was said to have a weak kick, but a powerful punch, having been reported on several occasions to have cleared the ball into the opposition half by punching it.

Later life and death After being ordained in 1897, Raikes remained curate of Portsea until 1905. He was then appointed chaplain to the Duke of Portland, an appointment which he held until 1920. He then became Rector of Bergh Apton in Norfolk, remaining there until 1936. Raikes died at Lamyatt near Shepton Mallet in Somerset on 18 December 1966, at the age of 93. He had been one of the oldest living first-class cricketers.