Cup Match is the highlight of the cricket season in Bermuda, an island-wide celebration timed to coincide with the abolition of slavery and Mary Prince Day.
Symonds played for Bermuda in December 1953 against the touring Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) team, en route to their Test series in the West Indies.
When Bermuda batted he played his part in a dogged 2nd innings partnership, scoring 11 not out, that secured a draw for the home team.
[2] He was met off the plane at London's Heathrow airport by Rochdale manager, Harry Catterick and he signed a contract with the club in October 1954.
He came up against some strong teams in the reserves and recalls playing against a Manchester United side that included a young Bobby Charlton and Tommy Taylor.
[8] He remembers being well received by the local community and, on 15 September 1955, he made his 1st team debut in an away game against Barrow AFC, thus becoming the first Black player to represent the club.
His career in England was hampered by a recurring knee injury that two operations failed to resolve and he ended his contract with the club by mutual agreement, returning to Bermuda in November 1955.