Ernie Stapleton played twice for Glamorgan in 1908 and 1909 having previously worked as a clerk at Pilsley Colliery and appearing for Derbyshire against the MCC at Lord’s in June 1902.
The brother-in-law of George Gunn, Ernie had married the sister of the Nottinghamshire and England opening batsman, and his first break in big cricket came with the East Midlands side when he played for Nottinghamshire Colts against their counterparts from Yorkshire at Worksop in 1896.
Ernie continued to be a heavy scorer in club cricket in the Derbyshire area, and won a place in the county’s side for their visit to play the MCC in 1902. The right-handed batsman failed to impress and subsequently took a professional appointment in 1907 with the Hill’s Plymouth side in Merthyr Tydfil. In his debut season, Ernie made a fine 108 for the Hill’s Plymouth CC against Penarth, and the following year he hit a superb 151 against Cardiff CC, besides making half-centuries against Llanelli CCand Brecon CC.
His efforts saw him included in Glamorgan’s friendly with Wiltshire at the Arms Park in July 1908 but Ernie made just 6 in his only innings. The following year, Ernie deputized for Tal Whittington in the Minor County Championship match with Devon at the Arms Park, but was dismissed for 5 and 0 in what proved to be his final appearance in a major match.
STAPLETON, Ernest (‘Ernie’).
Born – New Basford, 15 January 1869.
Died – Nottingham, 14 December 1938.
Batting and Fielding Record
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| MC Championship | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2.50 | – | – | 1 | – |
| MC Friendly | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6.00 | – | – | 2 | – |
Career Best performances
Minor County Championship – 5 v Devon at Cardiff Arms Park, 1909.
Minor County Friendly – 6 v Wiltshire at Cardiff Arms Park, 1908.