He died aged 26 following an on-field injury while playing football for Staveley.
Derbyshire lost first-class status for the 1888 season but Cropper continued playing for the side.
He was badly injured by Doyle's knee in his abdomen and left the field in obvious distress.
The collision resulted in a ruptured bowel and he died in the dressing room at Grimsby in the arms of his Staveley and Derbyshire County Cricket Club teammate George Hay.
Cropper was buried in Brimington churchyard and a memorial stone was erected – from the proceeds of a subscription fund raised by his family and friends – which can still be seen today.