Graham Cross

Who is Graham Cross?

Graham Frederick Cross is a former professional footballer and cricketer. He is the record appearance holder for Leicester City, making 599 appearances for the club in all competitions.

He spent most of his career playing for Leicester City originally as an inside forward, then later as a centre-half and occasionally a right half. At Leicester he holds the record for the most appearances for the club with 599 between 1961 and 1975. He went on to join Brighton & Hove Albion and then Preston North End. He made the record number of appearances for the England Under 23 side but never made a full international appearance.

He also represented Leicestershire as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler between 1961 and 1977. In 83 first-class matches, he scored 2,079 runs, highest score 78 with eight fifties and 61 catches. He took 92 wickets, best bowling 4/28. In 51 ListA matches, he scored 701 runs, highest score 57* with three fifties and 17 catches. He took 63 wickets, best bowling 4/11.

Appearing irregularly because of his football commitments, Cross was nevertheless a good enough player to find a place in Ray Illingworth's successful county side of the late seventies. Cross's last appearance came when the side was striken by illness in May 1977. A scratch side had to be assembled to play Hampshire at Grace Road in the B&H Cup. Showing his habitual adaptability, he kept wicket for the only time during his career.