Bingley Congregational Cricket Club

Another elusive ground.

From Pitchero

The cricket club was formed in 1872, and like other sporting organisations formed in the same era, it had its origins in one of the local religious organisations. Hence the club’s full name is “Bingley Congregationals Cricket Club”, the Congs.

In its early years the club played at various venues around the Bingley district, including at Royd Nook, Gilstead up to the early 1920’s. Our current ground at Beckfoot Lane had been purchased by Thomas Bailey in 1920 as land to keep his working horses used to pull barges on the nearby Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

At that time the club was renowned for fielding a team made up of ten Baileys plus one non-family player. The club finally moved permanently to Beckfoot Lane in the early 1920’s. During the 1920’s and 1930’s the club had both cricket and tennis sections right up to the start of the War when all activities were suspended.

The club has been members of several local cricket leagues over the years:

Wharfedale & Airedale League 1900-1915
Bradford Central League 1919-1940 & 1968-2003
West Bradford League 1947-1967
Craven & District League 2004 to date

The club currently have two Saturday senior teams playing in Divisions 1 & 4. The First team finished eighth in 2012, whilst the Second team finished joint fourth in division four last season. 
The club also compete in the League’s two-cup competitions – the Wynn Cup & Cowling Cup – with the First team being successful in the 2009 Final played against Oakworth on their home ground!
In the 2012 season, the club also entered a under 17`s junior team. A Congs junior team had previously not won for three seasons but last season, the under 17`s won the last two games of the season, avoiding relegation and finishing tenth.