IN response to Graham Tissiman's letter about cricket on what is now the York District Hospital site, and his inquiry 'Memories stirred'? (August 25) - they certainly were.

As a young boy in the late 1940s, I watched York in their annual cricket match with Nottinghamshire and enjoyed the elegant batting of the great Joe Hardstaff.

I also attended Yorkshire Seconds' game at which I got Herbert Sutcliffe's autograph - his son Billy was also playing.

He refused at first and left the ground in a car but returned almost immediately because his grandson had reprimanded him for being 'a misery'.

In the same match I saw a young promising Yorkshire fast bowler carried off injured - his name was F S Trueman. I wonder if he achieved his potential?

More painful memories came in September 1950 when I suffered a severe knee injury playing rugby on the school field. They moved the match to another pitch while I was eventually transported very uncomfortably to York County Hospital in Monkgate on the back seat of a taxi - an ambulance was not available.

My injury occurred about 100 yards from the present A&E department! I think of this every time I visit hospital. Some memories are better than others.

Leslie King,

Moor Lane,

Murton, York.

Updated: 11:22 Saturday, September 01, 2001