Club history

Uncovering any factual history about cricket in Snitterfield has proved to be a real challenge. The Club's most senior member Mike Chamberlain (now retired from action) played for the Club up to its demise in the 1970's and recalls its existence way back into his childhood. We have been unable to find any supporting evidence of this in the Domesday Book or later editions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, so call on any former players, their friends or families, or even any budding historians to help us out.

A few of us have moved more soil than we care to remember in constructing the new pitch, but the only spadework required now will be to dig back into the past and unearth the origins of the original cricket club.  When was cricket first played in the village?  When was the original club officially formed?  Are there any details of the club's early players?  If you think you can help provide the answers to any of these questions, or if you have any old photographs, then please do contact us.

The Early Years

Although the details are a little sketchy, it is clear that cricket has been played in Snitterfield for at least 100 years.  The village owes much to its first sporting patron Randolph Pearson, who first became involved in 1910.  Such was his love of the game and commitment to see it thrive in Snitterfield, he generously bestowed land to the village in the 1930's so that a cricket ground and pavilion could be built, administered by the Pearson Trust.

Over the years Snitterfield has played host to a number of memorable matches not least the game organised by Robin Ogg in 1970, when he persuaded the Master of Corpus Christi College to allow a match between Snitterfield and the Cambridge University side to be held at Snitterfield.

Matches were played on the ground right up until 1973, when, with the game in decline, the village bowls club took over the land and developed a bowling green.

The 1950's

We are indebted to Simon Burson who lived in Snitterfield during the 1950's for a series of photographs included in the gallery of this site. Simon has kindly contacted us from Canada after finding the site on the net.  His father William (Bill) played for Snitterfield when they lived at Wayfield House Farm until 1957 when they emigrated to Canada.  Sadly, Bill passed away in 1977 but Simon still has his old Quaiffe & Lilley bat and pads. Simon and his mother Mary, have been able to identify a few of the people in the photographs, so if a face or two rings a bell with you, then please contact us so we can update the details in the captions.