History - 1871-1959
The first time the sound of leather on willow was heard in the name of Adwalton Cricket Club was in 1871, well that is not strictly true! The club was first known as the "White Hart' Social and Sports Club. The White Hart was a coaching house where, it is reputed, Queen Elizabeth I once slept. It was situated where the old feast ground was at the bottom of Moorside Green.
The aim and objects of the club was and still is to give the men and boys of the village an opportunity to enjoy cricket and to provide entertainment for those who are unable to play.
The original club membership was 21 members who paid 2/6d. each subscription and friends who contributed half a crown and one at a shilling.
In 1874 Adwalton signed their first professional, a man by the name of William Briggs "Bill" Foster of Morley. He was a square arm bowler and was paid a fee of 5s. per week plus rail fare on condition that he came once a week and played all matches on a Saturday. The following season he was given a rise of 2/6d. and a further 1s. the season after.
Other professionals included bowler Jack Driver who hailed from Gildersome and was paid 6s. plus rail fares; John Bedford Greenwood, Smith Walsworth, Ellis Sutcliffe and George Bedford.
In 1875 the club changed its name to Adwalton Queen Elizabeth and also started a Second XI. From early records dating to 1899 it would appear the star batsmen included George Roberts, Bob Render, Asa Horrocks, Sutcliffe Booth, , Arba Rushworth, Willie Bedford and Tom Naylor. The bowlers being James Henry Steal, Rufus Barker, Edgar Robinson, Jim Metcalfe, Nimrod Scott. And of course there were players who performed dual roles with the bat and ball, players such as Willie Bedford, Tom Naylor, Edgar Robinson's brother Rufus and John Pitts.
One of the biggest events of the year at this time was the Whitsun Gala that was a 3-day cricket game - Saturday, Sunday and Monday rounded off on Tuesday with a "shindig' that consisted of a sports day with beer and skittles. The refreshments included 2 sides of ham, a forequarter of beef (the dripping had to be saved to use for sandwiches), various ladies were even commissioned to bake over two stone of bread! 40 cases of ale as well as bottles of Port, Gin and Whiskey, 110 tickets in total were sold and only 4 glasses were broken in the day!
In those days the two teams would decide on 11 men plus say 3 reserves and if both teams had a full complement on the day then they would play 14 a side. Another peculiarity of the time was that the home team Captain and the away team opening bowler would choose which wicket to play on, and the home team Captain would decide whether to bat or field!
In 1920 the club took the name by which it is known today - Adwalton Cricket and Athletic Club. The aims of the club have been fulfilled by half day, one day and holiday matches and in several years by single wicket challenges, galas, picnics, tennis tournaments, band performances, walking matches and even flower shows!
Between the wars players who will long be remembered include Edgar Sykes, Tom Naylor (Captain in the 1920's), the Child brothers Ernest Lodge, George Johnson and Herbert Binks. Tennis courts were added to the facilities and an Association Football team also started. Its colours were pink and white!
In the 1930's the Yorkshire Cricketer Emott Robinson played at Adwalton. Billy Bedford was also picked to play for Yorkshire at Bradford. He arranged to meet Clifford Judd from Gildersome in the Railway public house before catching the train into Bradford. The minutes for the time read they "outstayed their welcome" in the Railway and missed the train!
Players in the forties and fifties include Jim Appleyard, Harry Shoesmith, John Roper, Jack Haley, Harold Webster, Alfred Elliott, Joe Oversby, Jimmy Ruglan, Arthur Stakes, Peter Heron, Stanley Brough Herbert Griffiths, Jack Kilvington and Sam Carter who all served the club loyally.
In June 1949, Mr Brennan, who owned the field, was approached to se if it could be purchased. A price was fixed at £500. Six trustees were appointed to purchase the field on the behalf of the Club and remain trustees until the loans were repaid. Several members offered loans of £10 and several more gave £1. About £170 was given in the meeting, three other members loaned the rest.
In 1953 Mr Brennan was asked if he would let his horse on the field so it could "cut the grass', an interesting idea we rarely see grounds men using today.
In 1959 £50 was allocated to purchase Premium Bonds, there can't be many cricket clubs who have done that!
The aim and objects of the club was and still is to give the men and boys of the village an opportunity to enjoy cricket and to provide entertainment for those who are unable to play.
The original club membership was 21 members who paid 2/6d. each subscription and friends who contributed half a crown and one at a shilling.
In 1874 Adwalton signed their first professional, a man by the name of William Briggs "Bill" Foster of Morley. He was a square arm bowler and was paid a fee of 5s. per week plus rail fare on condition that he came once a week and played all matches on a Saturday. The following season he was given a rise of 2/6d. and a further 1s. the season after.
Other professionals included bowler Jack Driver who hailed from Gildersome and was paid 6s. plus rail fares; John Bedford Greenwood, Smith Walsworth, Ellis Sutcliffe and George Bedford.
In 1875 the club changed its name to Adwalton Queen Elizabeth and also started a Second XI. From early records dating to 1899 it would appear the star batsmen included George Roberts, Bob Render, Asa Horrocks, Sutcliffe Booth, , Arba Rushworth, Willie Bedford and Tom Naylor. The bowlers being James Henry Steal, Rufus Barker, Edgar Robinson, Jim Metcalfe, Nimrod Scott. And of course there were players who performed dual roles with the bat and ball, players such as Willie Bedford, Tom Naylor, Edgar Robinson's brother Rufus and John Pitts.
One of the biggest events of the year at this time was the Whitsun Gala that was a 3-day cricket game - Saturday, Sunday and Monday rounded off on Tuesday with a "shindig' that consisted of a sports day with beer and skittles. The refreshments included 2 sides of ham, a forequarter of beef (the dripping had to be saved to use for sandwiches), various ladies were even commissioned to bake over two stone of bread! 40 cases of ale as well as bottles of Port, Gin and Whiskey, 110 tickets in total were sold and only 4 glasses were broken in the day!
In those days the two teams would decide on 11 men plus say 3 reserves and if both teams had a full complement on the day then they would play 14 a side. Another peculiarity of the time was that the home team Captain and the away team opening bowler would choose which wicket to play on, and the home team Captain would decide whether to bat or field!
In 1920 the club took the name by which it is known today - Adwalton Cricket and Athletic Club. The aims of the club have been fulfilled by half day, one day and holiday matches and in several years by single wicket challenges, galas, picnics, tennis tournaments, band performances, walking matches and even flower shows!
Between the wars players who will long be remembered include Edgar Sykes, Tom Naylor (Captain in the 1920's), the Child brothers Ernest Lodge, George Johnson and Herbert Binks. Tennis courts were added to the facilities and an Association Football team also started. Its colours were pink and white!
In the 1930's the Yorkshire Cricketer Emott Robinson played at Adwalton. Billy Bedford was also picked to play for Yorkshire at Bradford. He arranged to meet Clifford Judd from Gildersome in the Railway public house before catching the train into Bradford. The minutes for the time read they "outstayed their welcome" in the Railway and missed the train!
Players in the forties and fifties include Jim Appleyard, Harry Shoesmith, John Roper, Jack Haley, Harold Webster, Alfred Elliott, Joe Oversby, Jimmy Ruglan, Arthur Stakes, Peter Heron, Stanley Brough Herbert Griffiths, Jack Kilvington and Sam Carter who all served the club loyally.
In June 1949, Mr Brennan, who owned the field, was approached to se if it could be purchased. A price was fixed at £500. Six trustees were appointed to purchase the field on the behalf of the Club and remain trustees until the loans were repaid. Several members offered loans of £10 and several more gave £1. About £170 was given in the meeting, three other members loaned the rest.
In 1953 Mr Brennan was asked if he would let his horse on the field so it could "cut the grass', an interesting idea we rarely see grounds men using today.
In 1959 £50 was allocated to purchase Premium Bonds, there can't be many cricket clubs who have done that!
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