The Lillywhites were one of the most remarkable sporting families in Sussex for more than a hundred years.

They made a huge mark on cricket, fundamentally changing the way in which it was played, and opened one of the biggest sports shops in England.

It all started with Frederick Lillywhite, born in 1792 in Westhampnett near Chichester. He became a bricklayer like his father and moved to Hove when he married.

He was a keen cricketer but did not become noticed until he was over 30. He also had to work hard to support his ever-growing family – he and his wife Charlotte had 12 children.

Lillywhite solved the problem by rising at 2am to work at brick kilns before playing the game he loved.

He started playing for Sussex as a batsman and Judy Middleton in her Encyclopaedia of Hove says he had no style but a cool nerve which could be invaluable.

When he took up bowling, Lillywhite with a colleague, James Broadbridge, changed the game by developing round arm bowling. Before then it had all been underarm.

Lillywhite excelled at the new bowling, taking more than 200 wickets many years with his fast accurate deliveries.

He took over the Royal Sovereign pub in Preston Street, Brighton, in 1837 and started a cricket ground in what is now Montpelier Crescent.

Sadly it was not a success and Lillywhite felt he did not receive the support he deserved from Sussex. He did not play much more for his home county.

But by then he was one of the top cricketers in the land and had remarkable figures playing for the MCC.

Although he did not go to Lord’s, the London home of cricket until he was 35, he almost invariably played well there.

He was the first cricketer to have a benefit match and he had several more before his death from cholera in 1854.

One of his sons, also known as Frederick, was the inventor of scorecards at cricket matches and carried a printing press with him to various grounds.

He went into partnership with another Sussex cricketer, John Wisden, producing cricket facts and figures. It was Wisden who was to become world famous for his almanacs.

Another son, James, played cricket for Sussex and was a good player although not as successful as his father.

He founded a cricket annual in 1872 and even though he died ten years later the books continued until 1900.

Confusingly he had a cousin of the same name who also played for Sussex, taking 14 wickets in his first match.

He eventually became the first Test match captain of England and went on four tours to Australia. He later became an umpire and coach.

John Lillywhite, another son of Frederick, played for Sussex as an all-rounder despite poor eyesight.

He started a sports shop in London with his father and two brothers. This became established in Piccadilly Circus and expanded into a department store.

It catered for many sports other than cricket and despite recent financial difficulties, is still trading.