Vintage Willow Cricket Bat, Len Tobutt
Vintage Willow Cricket Bat, Len Tobutt
Vintage Len Tobutt Cricket Bat.
A good willow cricket bat stamped on the face 'Royal Lancashire County, Extra Special', with 'Len Tobutt, Sports Depot, Bolton' on the two shoulders of the bat and one on the center of the blade. The bat with a strung handle. Len Tobutt was a professional cricketer from Middlesex. A good decorative piece with nice patina.
Tobutt Sports is a family-run business that has spanned four generations, first established in Bolton in 1923 by Len Tobutt, a professional cricketer from Middlesex who had moved to the town. His son Geoffrey joined the business in 1945, and after Len's passing in 1965, grandson Dougie became involved. In 1977, the shop relocated to Blackburn Road after a Compulsory Purchase Order was served on the original premises. Dougie later took over the running of the business in 1988, moving it from rented premises to ownership across the road. Now aged 73, Dougie has worked in the shop for 58 years, ever since he was 15, making him the third generation to lead Tobutt Sports. Marking its centenary, he welcomed crowds to celebrate the milestone, raising a glass to "the next 100 years." Reflecting on the journey, he said: "It has been a rollercoaster - we have had highs, lows and a pandemic, but we're still going. Tobutt determination must have been behind its longevity."
Over the course of a century, Tobutt Sports has weathered the Great Depression, World War Two, and the Covid-19 lockdowns. Today, the legacy continues with Dougie's daughter and granddaughter also working alongside him, ensuring the family tradition remains strong.
Dimensions:
1900-1949
Willow
England
Good sound condition.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://sportantiques.co.uk/cricket-1/bats/vintage-willow-cricket-bat-len-tobutt&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/sportantiques-64hFGwj3-uEHU73t22/stock/68d420d14baa2_3_31019.jpg&description=Vintage Len Tobutt Cricket Bat.A good willow cricket bat stamped on the face 'Royal Lancashire County, Extra Special', with 'Len Tobutt, Sports Depot, Bolton' on the two shoulders of the bat and one on the center of the blade. The bat with a strung handle. Len Tobutt was a professional cricketer from Middlesex. A good decorative piece with nice patina.Tobutt Sports is a family-run business that has spanned four generations, first established in Bolton in 1923 by Len Tobutt, a professional cricketer from Middlesex who had moved to the town. His son Geoffrey joined the business in 1945, and after Len's passing in 1965, grandson Dougie became involved. In 1977, the shop relocated to Blackburn Road after a Compulsory Purchase Order was served on the original premises. Dougie later took over the running of the business in 1988, moving it from rented premises to ownership across the road. Now aged 73, Dougie has worked in the shop for 58 years, ever since he was 15, making him the third generation to lead Tobutt Sports. Marking its centenary, he welcomed crowds to celebrate the milestone, raising a glass to "the next 100 years." Reflecting on the journey, he said: "It has been a rollercoaster - we have had highs, lows and a pandemic, but we're still going. Tobutt determination must have been behind its longevity."Over the course of a century, Tobutt Sports has weathered the Great Depression, World War Two, and the Covid-19 lockdowns. Today, the legacy continues with Dougie's daughter and granddaughter also working alongside him, ensuring the family tradition remains strong.){kind=link}