Saffron Walden Cricket Club History
Articles published by the Saffron Walden Weekly News on the history of the club.
Where the seeds were sown (June 2008)
Common to Meadow – The story of a Pavilion (March 2009)
Questions that need answering (June 2008)
Back to our roots (April 2009)
Cricket on the Common (June 2009)
Other resources
The following represents a summary of the 150 year history of SWCC which started officially in 1859.
Time Line
1757 First mention of a Saffron Walden team playing (and beating!) eleven gentlemen of Cambridge.
1837 Alfred Adams scored 279 not out v Bishops Stortford. It was the highest recorded score in minor cricket at the time and the record stood until 1868, the year of his death
1855 First recorded meeting of a club
1857 Decided to give up “Mr. Clutton’s field” – Rev. Clutton was the vicar of Saffron Walden at the time.
1859 Another attempt to set up a club. Jos. Lecand Taylor was the President as he was in 1856. This represented the first year of a club which has been in existence ever since.
1864 Seth Smart appointed as a professional bowler to bowl at the members
1871 Pavilion built on the Common
1910 SWCC beat Essex Club and Ground – a postcard was produced to mark the occasion. Does anyone have it?
1924 A second XI appears for the first time
1933 Two Saturday XIs and a Thursday XI
1952 C.BV.Rowntree writes “Saffron Walden Then and Now” with an annexe which deals with cricket
1954 First game at Anglo American Playing Fields
1955 Anglo American Playing Fields opened
1962 Hockey and Cricket Club Pavilion opened
1972 Entered Millman Cup
1975 First mention of a colts team
1984 Clubhouse re-furbished
1985 Enter Christies Crisps Eastern Cricket League
1988 Enter Beach Villas Cambridgeshire League
1993 Vardy Continental Cambridgeshire Premier League champions
1994 Joined Essex League and became Division 2 1st XI Champions
1995 Colour Assembly Essex Division 1 League Champions and Essex League Cup Champions
1996 Colour Assembly Essex Division 1 League Champions and Essex League Cup Champions
1997 Colour Assembly Essex Division 1 League Champions and Essex League Cup Champions
1999 Essex Premier League Runners up
2000 Essex Premier League Runners up
2001 Essex Premier League Champions
2002 National Club Cricket Champions
2003 Essex Premier League Champions
2004 Essex Premier League Champions
Academy established
2005 Essex Premier League Champions
2006 Wisden Club of the Month (September)
2007 Become Essex Focus Club and invited to take part in national Chance to Shine scheme
Twin bay secure nets installed
2008 4th XI re-established
2009 Join East Anglian Premier League
150th anniversary of club
2012 50th anniversary of new Pavilion
2014 60th anniversary of cricket at Anglo American Memorial Playing Fields
2021 150th anniversary of old Pavilion
2030 25th anniversary of Academy
2059 200th anniversary of club