The imminent arrival of the Australian cricket team to do battle for the fabled “Ashes” has prompted me to revisit the history of cricket in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
Until recently the area had two clubs viz. Chorlton-cum-Hardy and South West Manchester.
Their grounds were located at the end of Hardy Lane and between Wilbraham and Brantingham Roads.
Although most matches these teams played were against Greater Manchester based opponents (1) they did on occasion venture further afield.
Chorlton-cum-Hardy made several trips to play matches in North Derbyshire. One of the first such excursions was a game at Buxton on 10th July 1886 in which Chorlton-cum-Hardy suffered a heavy defeat. (2)
In 1902 the club made another visit to Derbyshire to play against Darley Dale Cricket Club on the day of the coronation of Edward VII – a repeat fixture was arranged 35 years later to celebrate the occasion of George VI’s coronation!
Tours were also organised to more distant locations, in May 1890 and also in June 1895 Chorlton-cum-Hardy travelled to Douglas, Isle of Man to take part in cricket festivals there.
On 29th July 1925 a visit was made to Hythe (Kent) Cricket Club,(3) and annually from 1928, a combined team travelled to play a series of matches versus various clubs mostly of Sussex and Kent but on at least once venturing into Devon to meet Exeter.
The instigator of these tours, who regularly featured as a lower middle order batsman in the games, was a staunch supporter of local cricket and a life long member and a future Chairman of Lancashire County Cricket Club Mr. T. E. Burrows His predecessor in this post, another resident of Chorlton-cum-Hardy at 67, High Lane, was a well known Manchester amateur footballer and cricketer (4) with the incredibly apt name - Dr. John Bowling Holmes. Dr. Holmes had become a director of Manchester City Football Club in 1924 and remained a board member at that club until resigning in 1950 on his appointment as Chairman of Lancashire County Cricket Club. In January 1955 he was made President of the Club when Mr. Burrows replaced him as chairman.
In 1945 following the end of the Second World War the Chorlton-cum-Hardy committee announced a scheme to purchase (at a cost of 3,500 Pounds) their Hardy Lane ground to serve as a war memorial.
On Sunday 2nd September 1945 at 11-30 they staged at this ground a charity match in aid of ‘The Manchester Effort for The Minesweepers Dependants’ Fund” between Lindsay Hassett’s (Australian) Victory Test XI and An All England XI. Admission prices were 2 guineas, 1 guinea, and 2 shillings.
Similar charity/ benefit matches continued to be organised by the club at least into the 1970’s. My friend David once opened the batting in one such and tells an amusing story of facing the great West Indian fast bowler of the 1960’s Charlie Griffith.
Sadly, this venue is no longer used for cricket but - the South West Manchester Club, on Ellesmere Road, continues to flourish with several cricket teams, a thriving crown green bowling section, darts teams and a snooker club.(4)
In 2009 the clubhouse bar was used as a set for the Ken Loach film ‘Looking for Eric” starring the ex Manchester United “legend” Eric Cantona.
© Tony Goulding, 2019
Location; Chorlton
Pictures; from the collection of Tony Holland
Notes:
1) As members of the Manchester and District Cricket Association 1892-2013. and from 2014 in The Greater Manchester Cricket League.
2) Chorlton-cum-Hardy were all out for only 37 Buxton made 332 in reply.
3) Unfortunately, heavy rain precluded any play and this match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
4) John made a number of appearances for Manchester University in the Edwardian era – on one occasion against a team called Northern Nomads who, as their name suggests, had no “home ground” the match taking place on Everton’s Goodison Park stadium. He also played cricket for Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
5) The social activities of the club have also expanded in recent years and it is now the host venue for a Comedy Club, a Glee Club and Chorlton-cum-Hardy Folk Club.
(The “Square” at South West Manchester
Cricket Club)
 |
| The lane leading to Chorlton-cum-Hardy's ground |
Their grounds were located at the end of Hardy Lane and between Wilbraham and Brantingham Roads.
Although most matches these teams played were against Greater Manchester based opponents (1) they did on occasion venture further afield.
Chorlton-cum-Hardy made several trips to play matches in North Derbyshire. One of the first such excursions was a game at Buxton on 10th July 1886 in which Chorlton-cum-Hardy suffered a heavy defeat. (2)
Tours were also organised to more distant locations, in May 1890 and also in June 1895 Chorlton-cum-Hardy travelled to Douglas, Isle of Man to take part in cricket festivals there.
On 29th July 1925 a visit was made to Hythe (Kent) Cricket Club,(3) and annually from 1928, a combined team travelled to play a series of matches versus various clubs mostly of Sussex and Kent but on at least once venturing into Devon to meet Exeter.
The instigator of these tours, who regularly featured as a lower middle order batsman in the games, was a staunch supporter of local cricket and a life long member and a future Chairman of Lancashire County Cricket Club Mr. T. E. Burrows His predecessor in this post, another resident of Chorlton-cum-Hardy at 67, High Lane, was a well known Manchester amateur footballer and cricketer (4) with the incredibly apt name - Dr. John Bowling Holmes. Dr. Holmes had become a director of Manchester City Football Club in 1924 and remained a board member at that club until resigning in 1950 on his appointment as Chairman of Lancashire County Cricket Club. In January 1955 he was made President of the Club when Mr. Burrows replaced him as chairman.
In 1945 following the end of the Second World War the Chorlton-cum-Hardy committee announced a scheme to purchase (at a cost of 3,500 Pounds) their Hardy Lane ground to serve as a war memorial.
On Sunday 2nd September 1945 at 11-30 they staged at this ground a charity match in aid of ‘The Manchester Effort for The Minesweepers Dependants’ Fund” between Lindsay Hassett’s (Australian) Victory Test XI and An All England XI. Admission prices were 2 guineas, 1 guinea, and 2 shillings.
Similar charity/ benefit matches continued to be organised by the club at least into the 1970’s. My friend David once opened the batting in one such and tells an amusing story of facing the great West Indian fast bowler of the 1960’s Charlie Griffith.
In 2009 the clubhouse bar was used as a set for the Ken Loach film ‘Looking for Eric” starring the ex Manchester United “legend” Eric Cantona.
© Tony Goulding, 2019
Location; Chorlton
Pictures; from the collection of Tony Holland
1) As members of the Manchester and District Cricket Association 1892-2013. and from 2014 in The Greater Manchester Cricket League.
2) Chorlton-cum-Hardy were all out for only 37 Buxton made 332 in reply.
3) Unfortunately, heavy rain precluded any play and this match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
4) John made a number of appearances for Manchester University in the Edwardian era – on one occasion against a team called Northern Nomads who, as their name suggests, had no “home ground” the match taking place on Everton’s Goodison Park stadium. He also played cricket for Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
 |
| The "Square" at South West Manchester Cricket Club |
(The “Square” at South West Manchester
Cricket Club)
south west was the better of the two clubs by far. in the mid 80s we played in the association league......steve price is still there and is part of the furniture......
ReplyDeleteI was a 13 year-old scorer for the Wednesday Evening match when Charlie Griffith made a Guest Appearance for a Team Called Burnley Belvedere. I took great delight in shouting 'Bowlers Name' when Charlie came on to bowl.
ReplyDeleteManchester City regularly sent a team prior to the football season starting, which I suspect had something to do with Dr Bowling Holmes' connection to bothClubs. Stan Gibson was the Groundsman at the time who later went on to become the well-known groundsman for City at Maine Road.