Macclesfield Express

Cricket club formed in wake of war hits its ‘ton’

- ALEX SCAPENS

IT started in the aftermath of World War I when part of a golf course was donated - now Pott Shrigley Cricket Club is celebratin­g 100 years not out.

A T20 match between the club and an invitation XI will be held to mark the century on Sunday, July 21, with the latter team featuring former England allrounder Craig White.

The club was founded in 1919 - when there was a nationwide upsurge in

cricket following the end of the First World War.

A group of men approached landowner Colonel William Lowther - whose estate covered most of the village - and he agreed to hand over a part of the old Pott Shrigley Golf Course for cricket, at a cost of one shilling per year.

Among the group was Archie Brown, who played for the club until he was in his 80s.

Graham Hackney, assistant secretary, said: “In this our centenary year we feel very proud of the improvemen­ts we have achieved since Archie Brown first started to make a pitch on an old golf course in such picturesqu­e surroundin­gs.

“Also we pay tribute to the many people who have contribute­d in many ways over the years to Pott Shrigley Cricket Club and confidentl­y look forward to our next century.”

The club’s first recorded game was in July 1920, when Manchester Ramblers were beaten by 11 runs. And after early fixtures took place against village and church teams Pott Shrigley joined the Adlington and District Cricket Associatio­n in 1924.

Finding their competitiv­e feet, pitch improvemen­ts came after World War II and the club joined the Cheshire Club Conference in 1968 and the Cheshire Cricket League in 1978.

They left this competitio­n in 2017 to join the Derbyshire and Cheshire League, which the club remains part of.

Today Pott Shrigley Cricket Club has five teams and around 80 members across senior and junior age groups.

Sunday’s event will include a barbecue and bar with a 1.30pm start ahead of the match beginning at 2pm.

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 ??  ?? The Pott Shrigley Cricket Club team as it is today
The Pott Shrigley Cricket Club team as it is today
 ??  ?? Pott Shrigley Cricket Club team line-up shortly after it was founded 100 years ago
Pott Shrigley Cricket Club team line-up shortly after it was founded 100 years ago

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