ABOUT CLIFTON VILLAGE CRICKET CLUB
A SHORT HISTORY OF CLIFTON VILLAGE CRICKET CLUB
1813 - 2011
The origins of cricket can be traced back to 1813, when a diary held by one of the few inhabitants who could write, recorded the "playeing of a gayme" between 11 of Clifton against 22 of Nottingham over "two notches" and many bets laid.
It may seem strange that 11 of Clifton took on 22 of Nottingham, but this was not an uncommon occurrence in such days, as it was probable that the 11 of Clifton were "imports" paid by the local squire. Much betting took place on such events in those times.
The Squire of Clifton - or to give the correct title, Clifton-cum-Glapton - would be a member of the Clifton family - that being their adopted name - the family are in fact descendants of Robert the Bruce.
The Doomsday Book documents the Village from 1200. Much of the land and property was "gifted" over the years by various kings and in return for favours on the raising of armies, over the years the family acquired a great deal of land, including the nearby villages of Wilford, Barton, Thrumpton and parts of Ruddington and Gotham.
Until much of the land around Clifton was sold by way of an Act of Parliament in 1948 (a compulsory purchase order) the Clifton family lived in Clifton Hall and ruled the lives of many inhabitants. Compared to many such families they were, however, very socially minded, providing and ensuring many aspects of village life be retained, one of which was the Cricket Club.
The first formal records of the Club commence in 1884, which are still retained and, apart from the two World Wars, cricket has been played continuously at Clifton since 1884.
Originally, Clifton-cum-Glapton was very little more than two small villages. As such, for many, many years the Club was nothing more than a small village club. As most village men would work for the Clifton family on the land or their properties - which included Saturdays and Sundays - many of the players played at the discretion of the Squire.
Fortunately, since the Clifton family appeared to be "pro sport" for after the First World War, both the Football and Cricket Clubs slowly developed with help from the family.
Regrettably, much of the Club's history prior to the Second World War has been lost, so little exists. Even so, they tell "stories", like - a major altercation that appeared to take place with the Ferryman who was required to "transport" the cricket team over the River Trent from Barton to Attenborough over the cost of the ferry. He threatened not to return for the team over his fee, which in those days would probably have isolated the team for a few days in Attenborough - the outcome was not recorded.
The Club ground for many, many years was where the Science Block of the Nottingham Trent University is now. It was simply a square cut in a field of humps and hollows, with a wooden pavilion, surrounded by trees and hawthorn or blackberry hedges, which the writer has painful memories of when searching for lost balls.
The ground was part of a tenant farmer's land, and he was not a cricket lover as he seemed to take a great delight in letting his cattle frequent the cricket field, with the result of a quite liberal spread of "cow pats", which appeared to attract the cricket ball like a magnet.
Despite these humble origins, the Club has managed to produce some famous cricket sons. John Moss played for the County and later became a respected Test Umpire in the early 1900's. George Wootton played for the County and for many MCC and England XI's prior to 1900, but the most famous player produced to date by the Club was Harold Butler of Notts and England, who would undoubtedly have had a greater career had the Second World War not intervened.
Following the Second World War, the Club reformed in 1947 and experienced much difficulty with the playing square for some time due to a barrage balloon and its vehicle which went "adrift" during the war, causing much damage to the square. Progression slowly continued, the Club gaining strength and improving its fixtures and ground.
As recorded earlier, all the land around the two villages had been sold and by now the huge Clifton Housing Estate had been built, initially there was a green barrier round the villages but this too began to be "infilled" - to use the modern expression.
One such infill was to affect the Cricket Club dramatically. A Teachers Training College was built on land above the cricket ground and in a subsequent deal with the College, the then ground was levelled, and a few years later a new pavilion built. This raised the status of the Club and attracted new players. One of these, Robert Chapman, son of Sammy Chapman the former Nottm Forest and Notts County footballer, began and played his cricket with the Club prior to signing contract forms with the County Cricket Club. With these new players, and a committee lead by Frank (Sam) Elliott, who became a member of the newly formed England Cricket Board in 1997, the club went from strength to strength.
The improved facilities and team strength enabled the Club to enter Village League cricket in the 70's when league cricket began to take hold. Around the same time, the Teachers Training College became part of the Trent Polytechnic, and more latterly this has become the Nottingham Trent University. Due to the growth of the organisation, the Club have been required to move twice before settling on its present, lovely ground within the University but still within the confines of Clifton Village and its near by Clifton Grove.
1994 saw another milestone for the Club when it moved to its current ground on the University Campus and, with an amalgamation, formed a Second XI and Youth sections.
In 1999, the Club won the South Notts Cricket League and gained entry to the Nottinghamshire Cricket Board Premier League at the first attempt, along with becoming the first village team to win the Champion of Champions Trophy, while 2000 saw the club expand again to include a 3rd Saturday League XI.
In 2009, the club achieved its greatest honour: becoming champions of the NCB Premier League. This feat was repeated magnificently with retention of the trophy in 2010.
The junior section goes from strength to strength, with ex-Notts CCC batsnan, John Birch, leading the coaching programme and establishing an Academy XI, and the club is proud to have recently been re-accredited with the ECB's ClubMark status. It has also won the opportunity to run the ECB Chance 2 Shine scheme. This, together with continued improvements to the ground, will surely cement Clifton in the top flight of local cricket in Nottinghamshire.
1813 - 2011
The origins of cricket can be traced back to 1813, when a diary held by one of the few inhabitants who could write, recorded the "playeing of a gayme" between 11 of Clifton against 22 of Nottingham over "two notches" and many bets laid.
It may seem strange that 11 of Clifton took on 22 of Nottingham, but this was not an uncommon occurrence in such days, as it was probable that the 11 of Clifton were "imports" paid by the local squire. Much betting took place on such events in those times.
The Squire of Clifton - or to give the correct title, Clifton-cum-Glapton - would be a member of the Clifton family - that being their adopted name - the family are in fact descendants of Robert the Bruce.
The Doomsday Book documents the Village from 1200. Much of the land and property was "gifted" over the years by various kings and in return for favours on the raising of armies, over the years the family acquired a great deal of land, including the nearby villages of Wilford, Barton, Thrumpton and parts of Ruddington and Gotham.
Until much of the land around Clifton was sold by way of an Act of Parliament in 1948 (a compulsory purchase order) the Clifton family lived in Clifton Hall and ruled the lives of many inhabitants. Compared to many such families they were, however, very socially minded, providing and ensuring many aspects of village life be retained, one of which was the Cricket Club.
The first formal records of the Club commence in 1884, which are still retained and, apart from the two World Wars, cricket has been played continuously at Clifton since 1884.
Originally, Clifton-cum-Glapton was very little more than two small villages. As such, for many, many years the Club was nothing more than a small village club. As most village men would work for the Clifton family on the land or their properties - which included Saturdays and Sundays - many of the players played at the discretion of the Squire.
Fortunately, since the Clifton family appeared to be "pro sport" for after the First World War, both the Football and Cricket Clubs slowly developed with help from the family.
Regrettably, much of the Club's history prior to the Second World War has been lost, so little exists. Even so, they tell "stories", like - a major altercation that appeared to take place with the Ferryman who was required to "transport" the cricket team over the River Trent from Barton to Attenborough over the cost of the ferry. He threatened not to return for the team over his fee, which in those days would probably have isolated the team for a few days in Attenborough - the outcome was not recorded.
The Club ground for many, many years was where the Science Block of the Nottingham Trent University is now. It was simply a square cut in a field of humps and hollows, with a wooden pavilion, surrounded by trees and hawthorn or blackberry hedges, which the writer has painful memories of when searching for lost balls.
The ground was part of a tenant farmer's land, and he was not a cricket lover as he seemed to take a great delight in letting his cattle frequent the cricket field, with the result of a quite liberal spread of "cow pats", which appeared to attract the cricket ball like a magnet.
Despite these humble origins, the Club has managed to produce some famous cricket sons. John Moss played for the County and later became a respected Test Umpire in the early 1900's. George Wootton played for the County and for many MCC and England XI's prior to 1900, but the most famous player produced to date by the Club was Harold Butler of Notts and England, who would undoubtedly have had a greater career had the Second World War not intervened.
Following the Second World War, the Club reformed in 1947 and experienced much difficulty with the playing square for some time due to a barrage balloon and its vehicle which went "adrift" during the war, causing much damage to the square. Progression slowly continued, the Club gaining strength and improving its fixtures and ground.
As recorded earlier, all the land around the two villages had been sold and by now the huge Clifton Housing Estate had been built, initially there was a green barrier round the villages but this too began to be "infilled" - to use the modern expression.
One such infill was to affect the Cricket Club dramatically. A Teachers Training College was built on land above the cricket ground and in a subsequent deal with the College, the then ground was levelled, and a few years later a new pavilion built. This raised the status of the Club and attracted new players. One of these, Robert Chapman, son of Sammy Chapman the former Nottm Forest and Notts County footballer, began and played his cricket with the Club prior to signing contract forms with the County Cricket Club. With these new players, and a committee lead by Frank (Sam) Elliott, who became a member of the newly formed England Cricket Board in 1997, the club went from strength to strength.
The improved facilities and team strength enabled the Club to enter Village League cricket in the 70's when league cricket began to take hold. Around the same time, the Teachers Training College became part of the Trent Polytechnic, and more latterly this has become the Nottingham Trent University. Due to the growth of the organisation, the Club have been required to move twice before settling on its present, lovely ground within the University but still within the confines of Clifton Village and its near by Clifton Grove.
1994 saw another milestone for the Club when it moved to its current ground on the University Campus and, with an amalgamation, formed a Second XI and Youth sections.
In 1999, the Club won the South Notts Cricket League and gained entry to the Nottinghamshire Cricket Board Premier League at the first attempt, along with becoming the first village team to win the Champion of Champions Trophy, while 2000 saw the club expand again to include a 3rd Saturday League XI.
In 2009, the club achieved its greatest honour: becoming champions of the NCB Premier League. This feat was repeated magnificently with retention of the trophy in 2010.
The junior section goes from strength to strength, with ex-Notts CCC batsnan, John Birch, leading the coaching programme and establishing an Academy XI, and the club is proud to have recently been re-accredited with the ECB's ClubMark status. It has also won the opportunity to run the ECB Chance 2 Shine scheme. This, together with continued improvements to the ground, will surely cement Clifton in the top flight of local cricket in Nottinghamshire.
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