Mention Headingley to anyone from outside Leeds, and their response is usually, “Oh yes – where the cricket stadium is.” But did you know that one of the most famous players ever to grace the stadium was also born locally?

Hedley Verity (1905-1943) was born in Welton Grove, and went on to play for Yorkshire and then England, storming the wickets with his left-arm bowling technique. Today, a blue plaque marks the house where he was born.

Sadly, Verity died at the age of only 38 from injuries sustained while fighting in Sicily during the Second World War. He is buried in Italy.