Born at Paddington, London in 1866, Francis Ford was son of W.A. (M.C.C. 1839), brother of A.F.J. (Middlesex) and W.J. (Middlesex), nephew of G.J. (Oxford University), uncle of N.M. (Derbyshire and Middlesex) and great-uncle of J.R.T. Barclay (Sussex). An attractive left-handed middle-order batsman, slow left-arm bowler and excellent slip fieldsman, he attended Repton School before going to Cambridge University. He attained blues all four years between 1887 and 1890 and captained the side in 1899. He made his Middlesex debut in 1886 and represented the county in 102 matches until 1899. He amassed
7,359 runs (av. 27.05) with 14 centuries and a top score of 191. He hit 1,000 runs in a season twice with a best of 1,195 (av. 28.45) in 1899. He bagged 200 wickets (av. 23.78) with a best of 7 for 65 and he held 131 catches. He played five Tests for England in Australia in 1894/95 when he toured with Stoddart's team scoring 48 runs (av. 18.66) and taking a single wicket. His final first-class match was for an England XII in 1908. A noted goalkeeper he was awarded a blue for soccer whilst at Cambridge. He died at Burwash, Sussex in 1940.
