Rothley Park celebrate 200 not out!
ROTHLEY PARK cricket club celebrates its 200th anniversary this season and to mark the milestone club member Steve Thomason has produced a book packed full of stories, pictures, stats and memorabilia going back some 200 years.
The club was formed in 1817, when two local gentlemen assembled a team from Rothley and Thurcaston to play a friendly game against a Leicester New Club team.
The young gentlemen were Matthew Babington, third son of Thomas and Jean Babington, owners of Rothley Temple (nowadays the Rothley Court Hotel), and his cousin Thomas Babington Macaulay, later Baron Macaulay of Rothley.
Leicester New Club scored 179. In reply, Rothley and Thurcaston scored 46 and declined a second innings. It is recorded that both parties partook of a friendly dinner together afterwards!
Fascinating stories like this are included in the book which was designed to raise funds for the club’s new cricket pavilion.
There are pictures of teams from the 1930s, scorecards from the 1940s, press cuttings from the 1960s and much much more which provides a fascinating snapshot of the how the club has evolved over the years.
As part of the celebrations, the club held an official new pavilion opening when the club’s new director of cricket, former Leicestershire, Lancashire, Derbyshire and England all-rounder Philip DeFreitas, cut the ribbon and a series of other events to mark the 200th anniversary including the annual Party in the Park on August Bank Holiday Sunday and a celebration club dinner in October with special guests.
The book can be purchased through a donation to the club. If you want to get hold of a copy visit www.rothleyparkcc. co.uk or call 0116 230 4467.