导出博客文章In crickets history, perhaps only Don Bradman has made as much of an international impact as WG Grace. Custom Spain Jerseys . Grace, however, played in an era when Englands empire was at its height and his career spanned a period when sport changed from a casual pastime into a beast of global interest. Such was his fame that it was said that he was the best-known Englishman aside from William Gladstone. But while there is no questioning Graces reputation or ability, he was a prickly character, used to getting his own way both on and off the pitch. His falling out with Gloucestershire in 1899 highlighted this side of his personality.While Grace was nominally an amateur - a vital distinction in a era where class was prevalent across all society - the reality was that he earned large sums of money from cricket, certainly more than any contemporary professional. And he was always on the lookout for ways to maximise his earning potential. Wisden noted: He was, throughout his career, quite breathtakingly grasping when his eye caught the glint of hard cash.In 1898 he received an offer from the Crystal Palace Company (CPC) in south London inviting him to help them form a first-class cricket club. Although Grace had captained Gloucestershire since their formation in 1870 - and since 1873 had almost single-handedly raised sides - he saw no conflict between continuing in that role and accepting the offer from London. He had, after all, managed to run Gloucestershire at the same time as he had played a considerable amount of other cricket for Gentlemen v Players, England, North v South etc.Negotiations with the CPC culminated in an announcement in The Times on October 11, 1898 to the effect that Grace had agreed to run the London club and also to move from Bristol to Sydenham to be able to devote his whole time and attention to the new club. The deal guaranteed Grace £600 a year and a share of gate money. Even Grace seemed to realise the response that this would provoke, for the following day the same paper published a telegram from him stating that he no intention of retiring from the Gloucestershire XI.That winter, Grace moved to London and threw his energies into establishing the new venture, which included redeveloping the site at Crystal Palace. Gloucestershire, where is brother, EM, was still secretary, remained silent.The 1899 season started with Grace, who was also Englands captain, leading his side in a few matches, but perhaps what really concentrated minds in the west country was that four other Gloucestershire players were included in his first match. Grace also staged a coup by arranging a game between South of England and the touring Australians on his new ground. Over the two days, 18,000 paid to watch. From there, Grace journeyed a few miles to Blackheath to lead Gloucestershire in their first outing of the summer against Kent. Three more games around the Home Counties followed, with mixed results, but Grace did not appear to have any inkling that there was a potential problem.On his return to Sydenham from the last of those games on May 28 that there was became all too clear when he discovered a letter from the Gloucestershire committee, who had met on May 16, curtly demanding to know which matches he intended to play for the county. Grace was livid, fuming that it questioned his loyalty and commitment in what he had already hinted was likely to be his final season with them. His response did not pull any punches. He resigned as captain, after making it clear he would have played in nearly all our matches and his final sentence was unambiguous. I have the greatest affection for the county of my birth, he wrote, but for the committee, as a body, the greatest contempt. Gilbert Jessop later recalled that the tone of Graces response was a surprise as a majority of them were close personal friends of the Old Man.Friends subsequently urged him to retract this parting shot, but Grace was unrepentant. Go back and tell the committee to underline it a hundred times, he told them. The committee accepted his resignation with regret. Two months later he wrote of them that they were unable to speak the truth and are a bad lot.Within a fortnight, Grace had played his final Test and lost the England captaincy as well. His batting was as effective as ever, but he had become a liability in the field - he was, after all, almost 51 and nearly 18 stone - and had been barracked by the crowd. He told friends that the ground was getting too far away. After the first Test at Trent Bridge he is reported to have sat on the train with his old friend FS Jackson and muttered: Its all over, Jakker. I shant play again. He didnt.Graces time in Sydenham was happy, although marred by personal tragedy with the premature deaths of his daughter and eldest son. Although the London County venture started promisingly when they were granted first-class status in 1900, the public never really warmed to what were essentially friendly matches, and in 1905 they lost that status and with it the ability to attract decent players. In 1908, the same summer that Grace played his final first-class match, the grounds and club were locked when the parent company ran out of funds.His feud with Gloucestershire was, fortunately, short lived. In 1902 he was made a life member of the county and that same year took a side to Bristol to play in a charity match and was warmly received. That encouraged him to arrange home and away matches between London County and Gloucestershire in 1903. In June, he led his new side to victory over his old in what was to be his last game in the county, a fortnight after also winning the home leg. It was almost the last hurrah of London County, but the bridges had been mended.Is there an incident from the past you would like to know more about? E-mail us with your comments and suggestions.BibliographyWisden Cricket Monthly - VariousThe Cricketer - VariousWisden Cricketers Almanack 1998WG Grace - A Life - Simon Rae (Faber & Faber 1998)WG - Robert Low (Richard Cohen 1977)Cricket At The Crystal Palace - Brian Pearce (Brian Pearce 2005) Andres Iniesta Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. Alvaro Odriozola Jersey . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. http://www.spainsoccerpro.com/David-Silva-Spain-Jersey/ . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- And on the seventh day of training camp practices, the Jets veterans rested.New York quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, linebacker David Harris and wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker all sat out team drills as coach Todd Bowles gave them Thursday off.It was a rest day, Bowles said after practice.Running back Matt Forte also didnt participate for the second straight day as he works through a sore hamstring, and Bowles added that its safe to say he will sit out the preseason opener next Thursday night against Jacksonville.Forte injured the hamstring while running on his own before the team reported for training camp last week. He received treatment on the leg during a portion of practice, and Bowles said there have been no setbacks. The Jets are being cautious in his recovery, trying to avoid rushing him back too quickly.Forte has participated in individual drills on just one day of camp, but the Jets arent concerned the injury could linger into the regular season.Right now, hes not in jeopardy of missing any time, Bowles said. But well see as the days go by.Bowles has mentioned wanting to keep his players fresh through the long, hot days of camp. After a day off Monday, this was the third straight practice for the Jets. They have two more before a day off Sunday.With Fitzpatrick resting, Geno Smith handled the first-team snaps.Meanwhile, cornerback Darrellee Revis practiced in team drills for just the second time in training camp, and the first as a full participant. Asier Illarramendi Jersey. He was being eased back after having offseason wrist surgery.He ran better today, Bowles said. Hes got to get in football shape because he missed a couple days. He was OK overall.In an interview with 101.9 WFAN on Thursday morning, Revis said hed consider a move from cornerback to safety in a few years. Bowles hasnt had that conversation with Revis just yet, and doesnt anticipate a position change anytime soon.I see him playing corner right now, Bowles said. I dont see a future. Right now, I just see the present.Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (leg), right tackle Breno Giacomini (back), wide receiver Devin Smith (knee) and running back Khiry Robinson (leg) all remain on the active/physically unable to perform list.Wilkerson, who received a five-year contract extension before camp, is coming back from a broken leg suffered in last seasons final game. He hasnt practiced, but is optimistic about being able to play when the regular season begins.Im feeling pretty good, Wilkerson said. The leg is getting better each and every day. 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