Welney Croft Cricket Club

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Webmaster's note - The Club's web pages are being upgraded during September and October 2008 and various new layouts are being trialed. During this time some links may be broken and some items temporarily unavailable.

The present Club formed as recently as 2000, but its pedigree can be traced back at least 125 years. Exactly how long the game has been played in this area, that is in the organised form under MCC rules, is uncertain, but the Parish magazine as long ago as 1884 recorded that a Welney team played against both Outwell and West Head (Stow). The Club has a minutes book dating back to 1905, and other archive material from which Tony Smart has compiled a comprehensive chronological listing of events associated with the Club. (see link on left)

The Club has had some memorable moments. In 1923 it achieved nation-wide fame by ‘skittling’ a side out for no runs; in 2002 it hosted a  match with a first-class County side; and it can claim a connection with possibly the most famous English cricketer of all time.

The Club's home ground since 1971 has been Welney Playing Field. Previously, six other grounds have been used around our small village, and there have been eight regular meeting places – the Cherry Tree Pub, Three Tunns Pub, Lamb & Flag Inn, William Marshall School, Odd Fellows Hall, the Parish Hall, Welney FC Hut (Back Drove) and the present Playing Field Pavilion.

With such a long history, it is not surprising that there have been some ups and downs over the years. In 1981 Welney Cricket Club was disbanded, and it was not until 1990 that it re-formed with a new all-weather pitch laid at the Playing Field. However, after only another eight years, in 1998, the Club was again disbanded, rather abruptly and without funds, and the all-weather pitch was removed.

In 1999, a meeting was held in the 'Three Tunns' to re-form the Club again. Appeals were made to former players for funds and over £600 was raised enabling new equipment to be bought and several matches to be played. The following year, 2000, the Club was re-named ‘Welney Croft Cricket Club’ at the AGM held in the Lamb & Flag Inn, and a full fixture list was arranged. (The Croft is an ancient river running through Welney).

In 2002 the Club was host to Leicestershire CCC, a first class county team which included ex-England test players Devon Malcolm and Vince Wells. (link on left to article and photos)

The current Officers (first elected in 2002) are: President, Ray Kent; Chairman and Club Captain, John Loveday; Secretary & Treasurer, Tony Smart. (For 2008, John Loveday will supervise wicket preparation and grass cutting, with help from Duncan Hobbs and Peter Scot, and Philip Singleterry is the Assistant Secretary.

Ray Kent	John Loveday	Tony Smart
tel: 01485 535108	work: 01354 610353, home: 01354 610492	tel: home 01223 312373