Brief profile of R.O.Clayton by Don Ambrose

Player:

CLAYTON, Robert Owen.
Professional.
Born at Penygroes, Caernarvonshire, 1st January 1844.
Originally a leather-dresser, living at North Parade, Otley, Yorkshire, he came out as a professional cricketer with Over Darwen, Lancashire in 1867. In 1868 he was engaged with the Hull Town Club, in 1869 with the Hunslet Club and in 1870 with the Sunderland Club in Durham. In 1871 he was back again with the Hunslet Club and in the following year he entered into an engagement with the M.C.C. at Lords that was to last the rest of his life, occasionally doubling up with Rossall School and at Cambridge University. Between 1870 and 1879 he played in 70 matches for Yorkshire and between 1870 and 1881 in 121 first-class matches in all. Also he played for Northumberland in 1870, while engaged at Sunderland and in 1881 for Lincolnshire. He had moved to Gainsborough in about 1877.
The 1881 Census finds him living at Bridge Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, aged 37, a leather dresser, with his wife Martha, aged 35, born at Rugely, Stafford. Their two sons, Martin aged 4 and John F. aged 2, were born at Gainsborough.