John Willan

Who was John Willan?

John James Willan was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1830. He was mainly associated with Hampshire and with Marylebone Cricket Club, of which he was a member. He made 13 known appearances in first-class matches.

Willan was educated at Eton before being admitted to St John's College, Cambridge in 1817. Although he apparently only kept two terms at the university, he played for Cambridge University Cricket Club in its inaugural first-class match in 1819.