And his daughter, who travelled halfway around the
world to unveil a blue plaque honouring his achievements, said:
"Dad would have liked this."
Larwood, who became famous for his match-winning performances for
England in the infamous "Bodyline" Ashes series in 1932/33,
played for Blackpool CC in his later years.
He also ran a sweet and tobacco shop in Caunce Street between 1946 and
1950, before emigrating to Australia.
Larwood's daughter, Enid Todd, was on hand to perform the unveiling
ceremony and told The Gazette her father would have been very proud.
She said: "My father had ended his career before I was born, so I
never saw him bowl. And it wasn't until we went to Australia that we
realised how famous he really was, but it's great that so many people
have come along today.
"I do remember though when I was at Palatine School we had a
teacher called Miss Davidson. She was Australian and when she saw my
name on the roll-call for the first time, she said 'I'm not sure whether
I should like you or not', because of how well my dad had done against
Australia. Fortunately I was good at maths so I got away with it!"
The plaque was produced following sterling efforts by cricket fan Mick
Lewis and Blackpool Civic Trust chairman, Elaine Smith.
Mr Lewis, a fan from Larwood's home county of Nottingham, said he was
determined to see one of his heroes honoured. "I originally thought
it should be where his shop was, but this is probably the best place for
it," Mr Lewis said.
Current England captain Andrew Strauss took time out from his Ashes
exploits in Cardiff to make a statement paying tribute to Larwood.
He said: "Harold Larwood is rightly remembered as one of the finest
fast bowlers of all-time and his achievements are a part of Ashes
history. I'm delighted his contribution to the England team is being
recognised this way."
Mrs Todd travelled from Australia for the unveiling as well as to help
promote a new biography of her father.
And the warm Blackpool welcome she received was something she remembers
well from her time in the resort as a child.
"Dad enjoyed playing here in Blackpool," she added.
"Everybody here was always so pleased to see him and ever so
friendly."
