Helm Spencer, a fast bowler from Lancashire, played for Glamorgan during the early 1920s.
Helm had been one of the most promising young seam bowlers in Lancashire before the Great War, and he made his debut for the county in 1914. After the War, Helm failed to secure a contract with the Old Trafford club and accepted an appointment with Llanelli CC. It also allowed him to qualify for Glamorgan, and in September 1923 he made his debut for the Welsh county against Hampshire at the Arms Park.
Whilst not as nippy as before the War, he was still a very useful seam bowler and during 1924 Helm took 64 wickets at 18 runs apiece. His finest hour that summer came against his native county at Swansea, and in a match with Lancashire unbeaten all season, which seemed a formality for the Red Rose county to maintain their unbeaten record. But Helm claimed 6/44 in 21 hostile overs. Before in the visitors second innings Frank Ryan routed their batting as Glamorgan secured a famous victory.
1925 saw Helm prosper again at St. Helen’s as he took 7/33 against Northamptonshire but it proved to be his final summer of cricket in South Wales. The cash-strapped Club were unable to offer lucrative terms, and with decent offers from clubs in Northern England, Helm opted to return in 1926 to the Lancashire League.
SPENCER, Helm
Born – Padiham, 31st November 1891.
Died – Lane Head, Burnley, 7th December 1974.
Best performances for Glamorgan:
In first-class cricket – 56 v Nottinghamshire at Cardiff Arms Park, 1924; 7/33 v Northamptonshire at Swansea, 1925.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| First-class | 39 | 68 | 2 | 743 | 11.25 | – | 1 | 29 | – |
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| First-class | 5067 | 170 | 2270 | 101 | 22.47 | 4 | – |