Cricket Bat Manufacturer?

earthworm · 05-07-2009, 01:44

I have an old cricket bat that has been in our family for probably 60 or 70 years minimum. It came from a relative who came here to the United States somewhere around the 1920's or 30's possibly. I don't know if they brought the bat with them or not. As I get older and begin to pass things on to my son I like to give him the story behind things.

There is a logo stamped on the bat that is in a circular pattern.
Starting at 9:00 to 12:00 is "E J. RILE" (THIS PART IS HARD TO READ)
12:00 to 3:00 is "LIMITED" (VERY CLEAR)
9:00 TO 3:00 is "ACCRINGTON" (GOING ANTI-CLOCKWISE)
(VERY CLEAR)
In the middle of the circle is "MAKERS" (VERY CLEAR)

A few inches above the circle is stamped "PERFECTION"

If anyone out there can give me any information on the company that made the bat, the age, or anything related to it, I would certainly appreciate it. Thank you in advance for any information you might have.

Mick · 05-07-2009, 05:33

There is a new shop opening next to what used to be the Accrington Observer office that is selling all sorts of cricket gear they might be able to help
not sure on the name of the shop sorry

katex · 05-07-2009, 08:58

This will help a little initially Earthworm, but sure there will be lots of our members that are able to give you more personal memories on this company and their cricket bats, etc :-

EJ Riley - Specialists in Cue Sports, Snooker Tables, Pool Tables, Table Tennis, Football Tables, Darts, Air Hockey

jaysay · 05-07-2009, 09:40

That's very interesting really didn't know EJs made cricket bats, they were world renowned in the Snooker industry and were based in Accy until they move to Padiham in the late 70s early 80s. They had a shop on Little Blackburn Road when I as a kid in fact I think I bought my first cricket bat there myself, was a Gunn and Moor if I remember rightly

Retlaw · 05-07-2009, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

That's very interesting really didn't know EJs made cricket bats, they were world renowned in the Snooker industry and were based in Accy until they move to Padiham in the late 70s early 80s. They had a shop on Little Blackburn Road when I as a kid in fact I think I bought my first cricket bat there myself, was a Gunn and Moor if I remember rightly

More than likely they were made to order and badged with the E.J. Riley logo.
They did'nt make much themselves besides Snooker and Billiard equipment. When snookers on tele, if you look, it still says Riley's Strachen on the table.
An Accrington Pal worked at E.J.Riley's, after the war he worked at various Riley's sites then came back to Accrington as Manager.
Clarence Glover.

Retlaw.

katex · 05-07-2009, 12:33

Just found an invoice header for E.J. Riley in Frank Watson/Bob Dobson's book 'Accrington's Changing Face'. It shows a sketch of Willow Works (they were very busy headings then), and also a sketch of a cricket bat, which I am pretty sure is the one that Earthworm describes.

Have no scanner, but maybe not allowed to put it up, perhaps Bob will be able to do this when he next logs in ?

It also has the words in the shape of an oval twice saying 'Specially selected'.

jaysay · 06-07-2009, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

More than likely they were made to order and badged with the E.J. Riley logo.
They didn't make much themselves besides Snooker and Billiard equipment. When snookers on tele, if you look, it still says Riley's Strachan on the table.
An Accrington Pal worked at E.J.Riley's, after the war he worked at various Riley's sites then came back to Accrington as Manager.
Clarence Glover.

Retlaw.

A good friend of mine worked for Riley's for many years Retlaw, he was more in the promotional side of things, Eric Parke. Can remember when I was managing Pool Pro Neil Payton, Eric invited us down to their Padiham works to look at a new Pool Table they were developing and we had a tour of the factory plus lunch, we had a very good day

Bradshaw Boy · 15-07-2009, 14:49

I went to Sacred Heart in the 60s and our very old school football kit had EJ Riley labels in it. My dad reckoned it was the same one he wore in the early 30s - they don't make gear like that any more!!

Ossy Snooker · 21-12-2010, 23:23

[Hi Checkout www.basnooker.co.uk ex Rileys guys they have all sorts of information.

wadey · 21-12-2010, 23:47

:: Norman Clare THE COLLECTION - Snooker Museum

has the bat info and great photos

RHFOY · 22-12-2010, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

That's very interesting really didn't know EJs made cricket bats, they were world renowned in the Snooker industry and were based in Accy until they move to Padiham in the late 70s early 80s. They had a shop on Little Blackburn Road when I as a kid in fact I think I bought my first cricket bat there myself, was a Gunn and Moor if I remember rightly

did you play in the lancs- league jaysay?

jaysay · 22-12-2010, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHFOY

did you play in the lancs- league jaysay?

I started at Church from an early age played for the under 18s and thirds and an odd game in the seconds, then went to Immanuel in the Ribblesdale league played there for a few seasons before work curtailed my Saturday afternoons of leather on willow

RHFOY · 22-12-2010, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

I started at Church from an early age played for the under 18s and thirds and an odd game in the seconds, then went to Immanuel in the Ribblesdale league played there for a few seasons before work curtailed my Saturday afternoons of leather on willow

i ask as i started at woodbank cc, then went to rammy in 83 for 5 years, then followed my mate who became the pro- at greenmount in the bolton league, then retired to early due t work commitements, i must admit the lancs league was the best ever, the standard was different class, the crowds of thousands creating the atmosphere and crack, and the social side was so much great fun, after the game...
my highlight was the worsley cup final in 1983 v east lancs- we lost but will never forget that day .. :-) you prob- remember an aussie called brendan mcardle who im sure pro-de at church, what a great guy he was !!!

jaysay · 22-12-2010, 19:24

The Lancashire league years ago was second to none Wes Hall, Charlie Griffiths, Roy Gilchrist, Everton Weeks, Clyde Walcott, Frank Worrall, Larry Constantine, Conrad Hunt, Clive Lloyd, Chester Watson,(I actually saw the only appearance made by Garfield Sobers in the LL when he sub proed, for Chester Watson at Church), then of course later on there was Bob Simpson, Alan Border, Denis Lilly, Viv Richards, Michael Holden whispering death) even Shane Warne

cashman · 22-12-2010, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

The Lancashire league years ago was second to none Wes Hall, Charlie Griffiths, Roy Gilchrist, Everton Weeks, Clyde Walcott, Frank Worrall, Larry Constantine, Conrad Hunt, Clive Lloyd, Chester Watson,(I actually saw the only appearance made by Garfield Sobers in the LL when he sub proed, for Chester Watson at Church), then of course later on there was Bob Simpson, Alan Border, Denis Lilly, Viv Richards, Michael Holden whispering death) even Shane Warne

yeh missed me dad off that lot.