Sutton Michael Antony MA (Tony)

M A Sutton

Position: 2nd Row and Back Row forward

Born: 29 March 1921

Died: 28 June 2019 aged 98. Prior to his death Tony was the oldest surviving Bath Rugby 1st XV Player.

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Education: Ampleforth and Oxford University

Achievements: Played cricket and rugby for Oxford University and cricket for Somerset.

Honours: Military Cross and Legion d’Honneur

Debut game: 28th February 1948 v Stroud

Final game: 3rd September 1949 v Weston Super Mare

Number of Appearances: 45

Career details: Tony served in the Westminster Dragoons during the 2nd World War and arrived on Gold Beach on “D Day” plus 4. Tony was awarded the Military Cross for rescuing an injured crewman from a tank whilst his unit was fighting in Holland.

After the war Tony attended Oxford University and subsequently served articles with Stone King solicitors in Bath.

Having completed his articles Tony joined Tozers in Teignmouth, South Devon, where he subsequently became senior partner.

Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack records that Tony, whilst playing for Oxford University, bowled the great Yorkshire and England batsman Sir Len Hutton for 2 during the 1946 match and for 103 during the 1947 match. During the 1948 season Tony played one match for Somerset v Oxford University.

Much to his amusement The Cricketer magazine published in its January 1993 edition Tony’s obituary which read “Michael Anthony Sutton, who has died aged 71, won a blue for Oxford in 1946 as a right handed batsman and off spin bowler, having been educated at Ampleforth before going to Worcester College. Sutton played once for Somerset in 1948, and also turned out for Devon in 1954. In 19 first class matches he scored 144 runs and took 47 wickets at 25.91.”

Tony’s response which was published by the magazine commenced with the words “I was very impressed to read my obituary….”

Shown below are:

Tony’s letter which was published in The Cricketer;

the Obituary Party invitation which was sent to Tony’s friends and

John Westerby’s article which was published in The Times on 3 April 2019