About the Item
On offer here is a signed photo of Brian CLOSE.
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Dennis Brian Close, CBE (born 24 February 1931) is a former cricketer who is the youngest man ever to play Test cricket for England. He was picked for the Test team to play against New Zealand, in July 1949, when he was 18 years old. Close went on to play 22 Test matches for England, captaining them seven times (six wins, one draw). Close also captained Yorkshire County Cricket Club to four county championship titles – the main domestic trophy in English cricket. He later went on to captain Somerset, where he is widely credited with developing the county into a hard-playing team, and helping to mould Viv Richards and Ian Botham into the successful players they became.
Throughout his cricket career, which lasted from 1948 until the 1977 season, Close was one of the most charismatic and well-known cricketers. He scored almost 35,000 runs as a batsman, including 52 centuries with a highest innings score of 198. He also took 1,168 dismissals as a bowler, and over 800 catches as a fielder (and one stumping, as a stand-in wicket-keeper). At just over six feet (1.8 m) tall he was a noticeable presence on the field, often fielding at the short leg position, close to the batsman. As cricketers did not use head or body protection in Close's day, he would often get hurt when a batsman struck a ball that hit him. Close was also noted, as a batsman, for standing up to intimidatory bowling, letting the ball hit his unprotected torso rather than flinching.
Close was known as a cricketing gambler; he was prepared to take risks and to court controversy throughout his career. He was serving a "confined to barracks" punishment during his military service when selected for his first international cricket tour to Australia in 1950, was sacked as England captain for timewasting, and later sacked by Yorkshire for his lukewarm attitude to one-day cricket. He was also accused of not giving enough support to younger Yorkshire cricketers. He attracted further criticism by touring apartheid South Africa and white-minority controlled Rhodesia with private teams. As chairman of Yorkshire's cricket subcommittee he had many run-ins with the then Yorkshire captain, Geoffrey Boycott. However, he continued to serve Yorkshire cricket, and in his seventies was coaching and occasionally captaining the county's Colts XI.
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The signature is an original and authentic autograph given by the person listed above.
The size of the photograph that has been signed is 10 x 8 inches.
This was signed as part of a Private signing where a small amount of this photograph was signed.
The Signed photo you receive may be the one photographed or one from the same signed Image.
This is a standard size of photograph worldwide so you will easily be able to find a frame or mount for this item if you wish to.
About the Certification
The item comes with a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) from us ( Matrix Frames ).
We are AFTAL Approved Dealer No. 81.
What is AFTAL?
The "Autograph Fair Trade Association Limited" (AFTAL) is a non-profit making body run for the benefit of its members and the general public, with a view to ensuring that the members can be relied upon to be trustworthy and duly qualified to perform their respective duties.
AFTAL are working together with the Police, Trading Standards, and Customs and Revenue officers to monitor and help stamp out the ever-growing problem of non-authentic signed memorabilia being sold and distributed throughout the UK.
This item was obtained, in person, by us or on our behalf.
About Shipping
Once items have been paid for and funds cleared in our paypal/bank account (depended on method of payment), your item will be swiftly shipped to you.
We will package the item safely and use the appropriate service (listed below) to get your item to you as soon as possible.
Signed photos will be shipped in hard backed envelopes whilst items may be packaged in bags or boxes.
Our chosen shipping company is the Royal Mail who we believe, provide the best service for shipping our products to you.
Terms & Conditions
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