TODAY we look back at cricketing legend Derek Shackleton, who was born in Todmorden and became a record breaking bowler and England Test player.

Born in 1924, to parents who were both weavers, he was educated at Roomfield School, the first in the town to be set up an education board and where he enjoyed playing sports.

He married a girl from Todmorden, Kathy and the couple had two children.

Beginning his career as an amateur in both the Yorkshire and Lancashire leagues as an all-rounder, Derek was also signed by Burnley FC as a goalkeeper.

Even when he joined the Pioneer Corps in 1942 he carried on his posrts, playing both Cricket and football for the army.

After the war, Derek was signed by Hampshire in 1948 after being spotted by a coach and his pace bowling became the mainstay of the county club’s attack.

He took more than 100 wickets in 20 consecutive seasons of first class cricket, from 1949 until his retirement in 1968; taking 150 in 1953, 159 in 1955 and bettering that again with 165 in 1958.

In 1955, Shackleton had the outstanding match analysis of 14 for 29 against Somerset, taking 8-4 in the first innings — the most remark-able bowling figures in county cricket in the 20th century — and 6-25 in the second.

He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1959 and a year later produced his best innings figures of 9 for 30, against Warwick-shire, after his captain called on him to bowl with the batting side on 196-4 and playing for a draw, with 45 minutes left to play.

As ordered, he conceded a four to secure the new ball and then took 6 wickets in 26 deliveries without the batsmen taking another run.

He took nine wickets in an innings on three further occasions, and also took five wickets in nine balls against Leicestershire in 1950, but never managed to take a hat-trick.

The leading first-class wicket-taker every year from 1962 to 1965, Derek became the last bowler to bowl 10,000 balls in a season in 1962.

He represented England in seven tests and at his death in 2007, aged 83, held the record for the most first-class wickets of any player who began his career after World War II.

He also holds the record for the most first-class wickets taken by any Hampshire player.

After his playing career ended, Shackleton became a coach and umpire for several seasons.

Cricket writer, Colin Bateman said of Shackleton: “His bowling, like his hair, always seemed immaculate.”

Does anyone have a photograph of Derek in action, to share with readers, or any stories from our cricket grounds through the years?