1 cassette: 2 sides, total time 69 minutes 44 seconds

Cassette recording of Brian Langford, Somerset cricketer, interviewed by Mike Burns and David Kynaston. The recording consists of two sides. The interview took place at the County Ground, Taunton, Somerset. Side A: [0:00-4:00] Langford talks about growing up in Bridgwater in Somerset, joining the ground staff at Somerset in 1952, making his debut for Somerset in 1953 against Lancashire in a County Championship match that lasted one day, his first wicket in first-class cricket against J B Statham of Lancashire, [4:00-4:50] Langford talks about being selected for play for Somerset in 1953, [4:50-5:20] Langford talks about the first match he watched (Somerset vs. Australians in 1948), [5:20-8:50] Langford talks about leaving school and getting a job before becoming a cricketer and having to perform National Service (for the Royal Air Force) in 1954-1955 and the Royal Air Force cricket team he played in, [8:50-11:25] Langford talks about returning to play for Somerset in 1956 and M F Tremlett being the best captain he played for, [11:25-12:15] Langford talks about H W Stephenson's wicket-keeping, [12:15-14:30] Langford talks about Somerset's profile compared with other counties which became more significant when they signed Test cricketers such as D B Close and I T Botham, and Langford talks about never being selected for England, [14:30-15:15] Langford talks about the batsman he found most difficult to play against including M J K Smith, B A Richards, G S Sobers and G S Chappell, [15:15-21:05] Langford talks about perfecting his off-spin technique while at Somerset, how changes to the laws of the game affected his bowling and playing on uncovered wickets, and playing alongside T W Cartwright, [21:05-23:10] Langford talks about enjoying life as a professional cricketer, and working for British Leyland during the winter, [23:10-29:30] Langford talks about a Sunday League match in 1969 where he bowled eight overs against Essex at Yeovil without conceding a run, adapting to one-day cricket and his performances in the Gillette Cup and Sunday League matches, his memories of the 1967 Gillette Cup final when Langford was twelfth man, and I V A Richards' performances for Somerset in county finals, [29:30-33:00] Langford talks about the Somerset team he played in the 1950s and 1960s and not being able to win the County Championship, W E Alley's performances for Somerset in his benefit year (1961) when he made 3,000 runs, [33:00-34:40] Langford talks about his friendship with cricketers from other counties and being a member of the County Cricketers Golfing Society, [34:40-38:00] Langford talks about the grounds he enjoyed playing at including Old Trafford and Lord's and also his experiences of playing at Taunton, [38:00-39:05] Langford talks about changes in fielding standards during his career, [39:05-45:20] Langford talks about starting the cricket season in April, using the Indoor School during the winter, bowling 1,000 overs a year and the lack of injuries during his career, the benefits and testimonials he received during his career, [45:20-46:32] Langford talks about Vincent Lindo and the trialists he played with at Somerset. Side B: [0:00-8:55] Langford talks about captaining Somerset and the overseas players he played with at Somerset, and his memories of playing with D B Close, [8:55-11:25] Langford talks about retiring from cricket, working for Barclays Bank for twenty years, having problems with his shoulder towards the end of his career, and still enjoying the game in retirement, [11:25-17:20] Langford talks about dealing with umpires during his career including Cec Pepper, and advocating four-day cricket matches in the County Championship during his playing career, [17:20-23:12] Langford talks about the changes between modern-day cricket and when he played.

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English