The History of Stokenchurch Cricket Club

The Past

Cricket was first played in Stokenchurch early in the 19th Century and has been played on the present ground since the mid-1800's.

The first pavilion was built in 1910 and to commemorate the occasion a match was played between F W Fane's XI and Stokenchurch Cricket Club. F L Fane who had captained England during the 1907 tour to Australia scored 101 not out in the game. This pavilion was situated in the North West corner of the ground close to the present practice nets.

In 1966 the first pavilion was replaced with the present building. This was funded with help from the National Playing Fields Association. The building was later extended and although satisfactory at the time, was no longer providing adequate facilities to support club cricket in the 21st century.

The Present

In 2001, with the help of a Sports Council Lottery grant we were able to build the present pavilion.

The basis of this application was an exciting and ambitious Sports Development Plan. This included training members to become qualified coaches, restarting the junior sections, forming close links with Stokenchurch Junior School and improving the practice facilities.

At around the same time we also had a new practice net installed:

IIn 2003 we hosted our first international match when the MMC ladies took on the touring South Africa Ladies in August. Since then we have regularly played host to the MMC ladies and look forward to this match each year.

We continue to grow as part of the village and now have 3 colts sides, representation in the County and District age group squads and strengthening adults sides at the weekends.

In 2004 the ground was flooded by a tremendous thunderstorm - 24 hours we were back playing!

In the autumn of 2005 the top of the square was taken off and relaid - fortunately the grass soon grew and we now have an improved playing surface