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

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)

Press notices (June 2009)

Other resources

Club Officers 1854-2010

The Dexter 1989

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