The end of the 1932 season had been a very worrying one for Glamorgan’s officials as the Club’s debt had risen to over £4,000, prompting their Bank Manager to advise that no more advances or loans were likely The Club Chairman had already written an open letter to the Press in which he outlined the severity of the club`s plight. “It is estimated that £1,500 is required to enable it to carry on until the beginning of the 1933 season. If this is not forthcoming, the committee will have no option but to declare that it is impossible to maintain first-class cricket in Wales. We should welcome assistance in any form. It is essential that this should be given immediately.”
A special appeal called the ‘Save Glamorgan Cricket Campaign’ was duly set-up with the aim of raising £5,500 by October 1st so that all the debts and liabilities could be wiped out, and a small working balance created for 1933. A plethora of fund-raising events were held whilst newspapers ran daily updates with news of donations and pledges of support. A special collection was made during a greyhound meeting at the Arms Park, whilst one man sent in the five guineas he had won back in August on a bet which he had placed that Glamorgan would not lose to Nottinghamshire. By the end of September over £2,000 had already been pledged, so at their next meeting the committee, with a huge sigh of relief, agreed “to take the risk of carrying on.”
Maurice Turnbull and Johnnie Clay also took over as Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer respectively, and looked into other ways to promote the Club and raise further cash. For several months, supporters in Carmarthenshire had been calling for opportunities to watch the locally-born players, such as Trevor Every and the two Davies’ Dai and Emrys Davies. The latter had now established a regular place in the side and in 1932 had moved up the batting order and had forged a successful opening partnership with Arnold Dyson. Turnbull duly met with Tom Jeffreys, an influential shop-owner in Llanelli and a supporter of the town’s cricket club. After hearing of their proposed plans, the match in late June against Worcestershire was allocated to the Stradey Park ground in Llanelli.
This was not though the end of Turnbull’s effort as he continued to mastermind the fund-raising efforts with a carol concert in Cardiff, operatic evenings in the Park Hall in Cardiff, and Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, plus a number of special rugby and soccer matches in which he and other Glamorgan amateurs appeared. Turnbull also went on a lecture tour of welfare clubs and other organisations across the region, promoting the club, speaking about the value of taking out membership and telling stories about playing cricket at home and abroad.
Night after night during the winter of 1932/33, Maurice attended the functions, with the Glamorgan captain equally likely to show his face at a jumble sale or sweepstake in the Rhondda Valley, as he was a black tie dinner-dance at the Casino in Porthcawl. As a result, his Riley car clocked up more miles than runs scored in 1932. Given that he had scored over 1,300 runs, this was a most impressive feat!
By the Spring of 1933 it was clear that the administration of the Club was much more business-like and to thank the people of South Wales for their support, the Club’s Yearbook came into being, listing the county’s members, promote the Club’s activities and raising further cash by being an attractive keepsake.
The costs of publishing the sixpenny handbook were underwritten by the Western Mail and Pat Brain, the son of Sam Brain, the county’s wicket-keeper at the turn of the century and a leading light with the family’s famous brewery in the heart of Cardiff. In essence, it was the first piece of sponsorship in the Club’s history and very fitting that it should be linked with Brain’s Brewery given the massive involvement of Jack Brain in the Minor County days.
As far as events on the field in 1933 were concerned, the venture to Llanelli proved to be a success. Around 4,000 watched the first day’s play and were delighted to see George Lavis make a century whilst two of the local men came good with both Emrys Davies and Trevor Every making 70s as Glamorgan made 434-6. Worcestershire were then dismissed for 114 and 236 leaving the Carmarthenshire crowd to celebrate an innings victory.
However, this proved to be the sole Championship victory. Several of the batsmen had productive summers with Dyson making 147 against the West Indians at the Arms Park, whilst Dick Duckfield – a product of Maesteg Town CC – hit his maiden century at Lord’s. Turnbull also made a magnificent double century against Northamptonshire at Swansea and regained his place in the England batting line-up. The lack of success stemmed from the bowling attack failing to capitalise on the advantage gained by several large totals. The absence of Frank Ryan meant that other bowlers had opportunities and, in all, eighteen were tried, but none could reproduce the magic from previous summers as Glamorgan ended a most challenging season one from the bottom of the Championship table.