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Lancaster Cricket and Sports Club, like so many things in our city, is steeped with history, and, like so many other places of historical value in Lancaster are probably taken a little bit for granted by a generation that has never seen a world war, or known rationing, or lived through a depression. This history page takes it's main source of information from the150th Anniversary programme, for which we thank the contributors. The programme only goes to 1991, so please bear with us as we find someone willing to take us to the present day. Credit must also be paid to Tommy Alderson, who penned the book, 'Cricket by the Lune'. Please enjoy this very interesting insight into what has developed into a great club. A brief history of Lancaster Cricket Club
Club
cricket in Lancaster did not have the most auspicious of starts. It was
1841 that the Lancaster Luneside Cricket Club was actually formed, only to
close a year later to become a rowing club. Not that many matches were actually played by the club at that time. Records show that in 1869 ten games were played and won and that a variety of teams existed, thought there seemed to be little loyalty displayed to anyone in particular. Nevertheless cricket continued to prosper over the next few years, so much so that in 1879 yet another meeting took place, this time it was in the more formal surroundings of the Town Hall where again cricket in Lancaster was discussed. The fact that the High Sheriff, William Garnet was in attendance, is clear evidence of the importance of the gathering and by the end of the get together the 40 or so people present unanimously resolved that a cricket and lawn tennis club be formed. Formerly known as Lancaster Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club. Mr Garnett was more than a figurehead at the time. He, like so many of his family, was a player, and a good one. It was mainly through the devotion of sportsmen like him that the newly named club flourished. The early years were not easy though the club seemed happy in it's first home at the Giant Axe (home of Lancaster Football Club). That to prove only a temporary base as club members searched for grounds more in keeping with their grand ambitions. In 1880, they sought help from the local Corporation to lease some land bordered by Lune Road and the Lancaster Marsh. Once the lease had been negotiated work began to get the ground ready and on 3rd June 1882 the new Lune Road headquarters was opened with a match against local rivals Galgate. Much has changed down the years, thanks mainly to the armies of volunteers who helped transform the land into one of the North's finest cricket grounds. Mind you it has never been easy, particularly in those early days when a great deal of money was required to get Lune Road ready and fit for play. More was needed to provide a pavilion and other facilities and equipment and most of that cash was raised through the members and players themselves. Some money came from benefactors and industrialists but in the end it was the cricketers and the tennis players who had to do most of the work. It was through their early efforts that Lune Road rapidly became the envy of other clubs in the North, and whilst Lancaster's results failed to match the standards of the club's new home, cricket was now a firmly established sport in the city. It is hardly likely that those early members would have had much time to think about the future. And even the most confident of cricketers would be able to forecast the amazing success that would eventually be enjoyed by the club they had founded. But down the years, Lancaster has been blessed with some great characters and some great cricketers. By now the club was playing fixtures against the likes of Kendal, Cartmel and Preston, as well as starting a happy, long and productive association with Lancaster Royal Grammar School. By 1887 Lancaster had prospered sufficiently to engage the services of a professional, an all rounder called Woodruff, and by the 1890's the club was enjoying happy and successful times. It was around this time the club became a founder member of the North Lancashire and District League and had a player by the name of John Tunstall Sanderson, a batsman who played at Lords for Harrow against Eton, and played for the club for the next 50 years. Bradford, Liverpool and Rochdale had joined the fixture list. At the start of the 20th century a new professional was acquired, Tom Iddon (actually his son went on to play for Lancashire and England, Jack Iddon), who stayed with the club for 14 years, scoring more than 4000 runs and taking over 900 wickets. Unbeknown at the time Tom had further influence on Lancaster Cricket Club, that would not come to fruition for about another 70 odd years - he coached Mike Staziker's dad! The early 1900's were not an easy time and when war interrupted there was just enough time for a 'derby' match against Kendal, before our boys went off to war. Returning 5 years later, older and wiser, to find little had changed at Lune Road. Play resumed, new players were recruited and the team was rebuilt. One of those such recruits was a certain Harold Douthwaite. He started his Lancaster carrier whilst still at school at LRGS, and anyone who hasn't heard of him, the school cricket field is named after him! He became one of the most influential cricketers ever at LRGS and at Lune Road.
In 1923 Lancaster returned to league cricket, all be it now in the Ribblesdale league, nearly winning the championship in their first season. The following year they again went close to the title in a season that was to prove the last as captain for JT Sanderson, then 57 years old, who gave way to Jack Roberts, only the sixth captain in the club's 50 year history. But despite some fine players, good professional and astute leadership, the championship continued to allude Lancaster. That was until 1936 when the club led by Jack Higginson won the league, winning 15 of their 22 games. The following season Lancaster failed in their attempt to retain the title, although Cecil Rhodes did have some success being selected for Lancashire on the back of a season where he took 69 wickets at an average of 9.49. The '30's weren't great at Lancaster, JT Sanderson passed away and war was declared in 1939 with the championship in Lancaster's sights. Cricket continued throughout the war years at Lune Road, so when the Ribblesdale League resumed in full, Lancaster were in a very strong position, being able to call on players with pre-war experience. In 1947, Alan Thurstan and Percy Carr, the new chairman and secretary respectively, began searching for a new professional. For the sum of £15 per game Frank Belmont Warne was hired, with immediate effect. He took 7 for 48 in his first game against Ribblesdale Wanderers, he broke the league bowling record taking 119 wickets at an average of 8.0 and Lancaster won the league. Lancaster won the league in 1947 and in 1950 while the Australian was the professional, he amassed a grand total 448 wickets, averaged 10.34 with ball, scored 1806 runs and averaged 22.29 with the bat. £15 per game!!!! In 1952 Lancaster and other larger club from the western side of the county withdrew from the Ribblesdale League and formed The Northern League. Moving forward in the years, in 1953 Lancaster gained the services of Indian professional Y.B. Palwanker, who still lives in the area. In 1954 Lancaster finished third in the league, and it wasn't until 1957 they won The Northern League for the first time, captained by a young good looking chap called Norman Ellis, using the services of various professionals from Old Trafford.
In 1960 Lancaster finished second to Blackpool after Subash Pandharinath Gupte, "Fergie" to his mates, the master Indian leg spinning professional took a tally of 86wickets, averaging 9.66. This was the mark of things to come as Blackpool dominated the league throughout the sixties, winning the title an impressive seven times. Time to rebuild for Lancaster, and a time to mourn the passing of great club men like Alan Thurstan and Percy Carr. The seventies, however, showed how much rebuilding Lancaster had done with new faces and new captains, Malcolm Hall, Mike Speak and Shaun Higgins led the way forward for Lancaster to become a force in the league once again. But it was probably the arrival of a young Staz in 1972 that shot the team and the club into it's finest era to date. For those of you who have been living on a different planet for the last 30 odd years, Staz is Mike Staziker - professional cricketer and all round good guy! To be continued . . . . . |
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