News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 6th Year

Issue

Issue No.

10

Date Released

Jun 1953

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. COAL WELL USED
• 2. STOW IT
• 3. YORKSHIRE EXPRESS
• 4. WASP’S NEST

Story

Story No. within this Issue

3 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: profile of Freddie Trueman, miner and cricketer.
NCB Commentary - At Maltby Main Colliery in Yorkshire the dayshift is coming off duty. Putting his lamp on to charge in the lamproom is faceworker Arthur Trueman. In the summer months when he’s on dayshift, he tries to find time now and again to spend the evening hours down at the nets.
Sometimes, when he’s lucky, Arthur gets his younger brother to toss up a few balls for him. That run up looks familiar - yes, you’re right first time, it’s Freddie Trueman bowling, Trueman of Yorkshire and England who used to work down Maltby Main himself.
Let’s slow him up, and watch his action in detail. Only 22 years of age, Fred Trueman is England’s test match answer to the Australian bowling of Lindwall and Miller. Fred’s run up is 18 paces long, and culminates in a coordinated action of feet, wrist, arm and body as he takes his final 9-foot stride and drags the right foot over the crease. No - it’s not a no-ball.
Trueman’s shoulders are broad; look at the strength in his back and legs as he uses his whole nody to catapult down the ball. Fast bowling like this is a continual effort to gain that extra half-a-yard of pace.
But when brother Arthur’s at the wicket, there’s no doubt that Fred holds them up a bit. Arthur isn’t the only one of the cricketing Truemans, though. This is Denis, aged ten, and according to Fred he’ll be rattling the stumps before long, too. With Fred to coach him, we wouldn’t be at all surprised.
At the receiving end is fifteen year olf Johny. He’s an orthodox lefthander, and already is dreaming of the nets at Headingley and a trial with the Yorkshire Colts, perhaps. For him, Fred produces a special line in slow right handers.
It all stems from Mr. Trueman senior, in charge of the training face at Maltby Main. He’s in his 60s now, with 35 good cricket years behind him, and two presentation cups to prove it.
Today, of course, it’s his famous son Fred who collects the trophies. The family are gathered together to greet Fred as he comes in with the latest one - the cricket writers’ trophy for the most promising young cricketer of 1952. Here’s what Fred had to say in London when he was given the cup in the presence of the Duck of Edinburgh:
For the 1953 tests, our best wishes go out to Fred Trueman for more and more wickets and better and better averages. Here’s what it feels like to be an Aussie at the wicket; rather them than me!

Researcher Comments

BFI sources suggest that this story was filmed on the 25th April 1953. Commentary recorded 4 May 1953.

Keywords

Cricket; Mining

Locations

Yorkshire; England

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.8 No.87 January 1954, p32.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Director

Jack B. Holmes

Camera

John Reid

Camera

Kenneth Reeves

Sponsor

National Coal Board