St Chad's Broomfield Cricket Club

Past Times and Pastimes

In Far Headingley, St Chad's Cricket Club dates its foundation from the early 1880's. In fact the Club did not establish itself in front of the church until 1922. Before that the club played in the grounds of Kirkstall Grange, and later moved to the Weetwood Hall estate, subsequently Bodington Hall playing fields.

Writing in 1960, RW Boning records:

'Those with long memories recall matches played at Harewood and Hunsingore, when the team and supporters travelled in horse drawn wagonettes. In the two years after World War One some very hard work was put into levelling off allotments formed during the war (in front of St Chad's), and during those years, on dark September or October evenings, dimmed figures armed with picks, shovels and wheelbarrows, worked on the ground by the light of storm lanterns, digging, laying ashes, forming the 'square' and generally levelling the outfield. In 1922 home matches were played for the first time'.

Cannon Charles Marshall, Vicar of St Chad's from 1907 and 1947 played for the Club during the whole of his forty years as incumbent of the parish:

It was said that if a parishioner wished to get married at 3 o'clock on a summer Saturday afternoon, Canon Marshall would do his best to persuade the happy couple to hold the ceremony at 2 o'clock, so that he could lead the eleven on to the field at the start of the match.

In 1931 a public appeal went out for funds to purchase the cricket ground (then leased to the church) plus the old allotments on the Otley Road frontage - a total 0f 21,046 square yards - from Lord Grimthorpe. £3,500 was raised which secured the future of the cricket club and protected the view of the church from Otley Road. The frontage land was due to be sold for shop sites. Instead this portion of ground was laid out as a peace garden and vested in Leeds Corporation to tend and maintain for the future. The war memorial was moved subsequently from the church drive entrance to become the focal point of the garden.

Far Headingley, Weetwood and West Park by David Hall

Background

A "village" club in an inner city environment, St Chad's CC was founded in Far Headingley in the early 1880's, playing at their ground in front of St Chad's Church since 1922. The original team played friendly games on both Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The club merged with Headingley Broomfield CC in 1979 to form St Chad's Broomfield CC and the new club fielded two teams in the Wetherby Cricket League in its first year. In the early 1980's a 3rd XI was added, followed by a 4th XI in 2014.

In 2010, the 1st XI won the Wetherby Cricket League Championship for the first time. With another Championship in 2015 and nine cups in the past seven years, the club are having the most successful period in their 130 year history.

In 2017, the club moved the 1st XI, 2nd XI and 3rd XI to the prestigious Airedale & Wharfedale Senior Cricket League with the 4th XI moving to the Dales Council Cricket League.

The club now has twelve senior and junior teams playing both at the weekend and midweek, with all but one continuing to play in front of St Chad's Church. With a new women and girl's section and a new under 7's team, the club are now able to provide cricket for those who have not had the opportunity in the past.

The club have published a Project Plan which will be used to help them continue to move forward over the coming years, including the building of a new modern pavilion. This will involve a significant investment and with fundraising events like the new beer festival, sponsorship from local businesses and donations from individuals, the club hopes to be able to start work later next year on building the new pavilion which will benefit the local community and the club members for years to come.

New players, volunteers and sponsors are always welcome. For further information, please contact Club Chairman, Paul Berry, on 07795 154444 or at paul@stchadscc.com.