Joe Hills

For the American football player, see Joe Hills (American football).

Joe Hills

Personal information
Full name	Joseph John Hills
Born	(1897-10-14)14 October 1897 Plumstead, London, England
Died	21 September 1969(1969-09-21) (aged 71) Westbourne, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Wicketkeeper-batsman
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1926–1931	Glamorgan
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 107 Runs scored 3474 Batting average 21.57 100s/50s 7/12 Top score 166 Catches/stumpings 95/4
Source: Cricinfo, 11 April 2021

Joseph John Hills (14 October 1897 — 21 September 1969) was an English first-class cricketer, Test match umpire and professional footballer.[1]

Life and career

Born in London in 1897, Hills served in World War I with the Royal Engineers and was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery as a cabler and telegraphist during the Battle of Amiens.[1][2]

Hills played professional football as a goalkeeper, moving to Wales when he was signed by Cardiff City in 1924.[3] He also played for Swansea Town and Fulham before a serious injury to his right arm in 1927 ended his career.[1]

Hills played 107 cricket matches for Glamorgan and Wales between 1926 and 1931. A wicket keeper and right-handed batsman, he took 95 catches, completed four stumpings, and scored 3474 runs at an average of 21.57 with a top score of 166 among his seven centuries.[4] In 1929 he shared an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 203 with Johnnie Clay which is still a county record; at one stage they added 150 runs in 65 minutes.[1][5] Glamorgan did not renew his contract after the 1931 season owing to the club's financial difficulties.[1]

Hills became an umpire, standing in 286 first-class matches between 1937 and 1956. He umpired the England v South Africa Test at Leeds in 1947.[6] He died in Hampshire in 1969.[4]

References

1. "Joe Hills". Glamorgan Cricket Archives. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
2. Wisden 1971, p. 1034.
3. Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 89. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
4. "Joe Hills". Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
5. "Glamorgan v Worcestershire 1929". Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
6. "Joe Hills as Umpire in First-Class Matches". CricketArchive. Retrieved 11 April 2021.