Coxon was born in
Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Coxon was an aggressive fast-medium bowler who played for England once – against
Australia in
1948 at
Lord's. Coxon was included in the team for the final Test at Oval against
West Indies in 1950 to cover for the injured
Trevor Bailey but Bailey eventually played. There were rumours of an argument with
Denis Compton, and his prickly nature was later attested to by
Brian Close. Coxon retired after the
1950 season, allegedly in umbrage at his non-selection for the forthcoming
Ashes tour, and moved to play
Minor counties cricket with
Durham. He played 29 times for that county between 1951 and 1954, taking 127 wickets and scoring 1,047 runs with two centuries. His highest score was 102 not out against Yorkshire Second XI at
Scarborough in 1952. Also in 1952, he achieved his best bowling figures for Durham; nine for 28 and six for 58 against
Staffordshire. He also played professionally with Sunderland, where he took 753 wickets at 8.73 runs apiece, and scored 3,764 runs at an average of 34.21. In 1959, he moved to
South Shields where he took 443 wickets for 10.28 and scored 2,663 runs at 23.63. He had shorter spells with both Wearmouth and Bolden, before finally retiring from the sport some distance past his 50th birthday, although still coaching at
Whitburn Cricket Club in 1979. He also played soccer for
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C. in wartime matches. He kept up a keen interest in club cricket until the end. ==Cultural Influences and References==