London Colney Cricket Club

Ian Holt, the club's local historian, believes that the game we know today essentially sprang from two parallel sources; informal bat-and-ball knockabouts within the rural community, often up to 50-a-side, and manifesting local village rivalry, and more formal contests organised between the staff of the great houses, usually intimately linked with gambling on the outcome. Cricket in London Colney can certainly trace its formal origins back to Colney House, a mansion built in 1783. By the end of the 18th century the mansion was the property of the Earl of Kingston, who is known to have played cricket for Hertfordshire. The first recorded match at Colney House dates to 1858, followed three years later by the first recorded match of "London Colney Cricket Club"

From that date on, reports of matches are to be found regularly in the local press, with the club being dominated by a number of local families, principally Fusedale, Rowson, Desborough and Halsey.

Although few photographs of the club have survived from the first half of the 20th century, match reports in the local press are plentiful, suggesting that the club was thriving, having moved from Tyttenhanger Park to Playmouth field, a site in the heart of London Colney village. Interestingly, one of the few photographs to have survived that era records the London Colney ladies team, which flourished in the 1930's.

Cricket was suspended in the 2nd world war, and London Colney was slow to revive. Indeed, between 1950 and 1965 local players represented either (or both) of two local works teams, St Albans Sand and Gravel, and A. R. Parson's, both playing at another location in London Colney, the Charles Morris playing fields. Only in 1965 did London Colney Cricket Club re-emerge from its hibernation. Scores from that period, and the departure of a number of gifted cricketers, suggest that the playing facilities were less than ideal. They became impossible at the end of the decade when the then grounds-man somehow managed to destroy every blade of grass on the square whilst attempting to fertilise it (his name was Maurice Pratt - make of that what you will). For a few seasons local players formed another club, the Caledon Cricket Club, but by 1971 they decided to return to the Charles Morris Ground, and to again reinstate London Colney Cricket. Matches were played on Sundays until 1973, when Saturdays were included.

By 1974 the club felt sufficiently strong to play in the County League of Cricket; the Herts Cricket Competition group 2. This was a big step as it immediately gave the club a very competitive Saturday fixture list.

By 1976 the club had a second XI in place, and, more importantly, volunteers were beginning to care for the home wicket, to encourage a better bounce, higher scores and more enjoyment. The Herts Cricket Competition was re-structured in 1985, with London Colney playing in Division 3. The League's criteria for a club playing at this level required a club to be self-contained, with "club room" as well as changing room and shower facilities. Discussions with the Parish Council began, as most clubs by now had these full facilities. In 1986 the club won Division 3 and moved into Division 2, which did result in problems with the league rules as the club was the only one in Division 2 without the full facilities. The problems temporarily abated in 1987 as the club returned to Division 3, although most clubs in that division were also by then improving their standards. The struggle to comply could not be ignored forever, and it became the pressing duty of the committee to resolve the issue, particularly when the club were again promoted as divisional champions in 1991.

Then, quite by chance, with the league future of the club in jeopardy, the club learned that a ground at Shenley, (the next village) which was privately owned and with the benefit of a club-room, had become vacant. Discussion were pursued with the owner, and terms were agreed, and in 1994 the club decided to remove from the village, with mixed emotions although sure of having made the right decision.

As the century moved towards its close, the Green St (Shenley) ground again changed hands, and when the new owners sought to dispose of their asset, London Colney Cricket Club was once more faced with the prospect of being made homeless, or to be more accurate, the stark prospect of "buying it or leaving it". With a recorded tradition going back 150 years there was never a choice. Meetings with the club members and solicitors ensued, and the membership of the club determined to buy the ground. With a quite remarkable unity of purpose the necessary cash was raised, and London Colney Cricket Club acquired its own ground, with obligations to no man, in the early part of the year 2000.