William Fantham

William Fantham arrived at Edgbaston in the mid 1930s as legspinner, but Eric Hollies told him that there was only room for one such bowler, and so Fantham became an offspinner, a decision he later regretted. He struggled to break into the side, but eventually did so in 1938 before his progress was halted by the war. In 1946 he was an ever present, taking 37 wickets including a career-best 5 for 55 against Somerset. Although he played 16 matches in 1947, he hardly bowled, and he was released at the end of the following summer. He went on to represent Mitchells & Butlers in the Birmingham League and also played as a pro in the Coventry League.
Martin Williamson