We
can prove, from the club's records, that Collingham & Linton Cricket
Club was on the go as far back as 1888. However, it is thought that the
club was formed in the late 1860's. We have, however, decided on 1880 as
being the official year of foundation.
You
may wonder why there is this uncertainty. You are entitled to ask, and
the answer is that, in 1974 the club's records disappeared at a function
at the "Old Fox Inn" on the old A1 at Kirk Deighton. Theft is
suspected, but was never proven.
Work
on our present pavilion was started in 1973, and the bar opened, by
Councillor Wilf Barker on Good Friday, 1974. However, the
present Squash Courts were opened in 1973.
Perhaps
the oldest "big" match was played at our ground on Boxing Day
in, it is believed, 1946, when we played the Northern Cricket Society.
However, we have hosted the following Ladies' Test Matches -
| 1985 |
|
Colliingham
& Linton C C v England Ladies (captained by Rachel Heyhoe
Flint) (5 day Test Match). Exact date 23rd - 27th June, 1985. |
|
|
|
| 1986 |
|
England
Ladies v India Ladies (5 day Test Match) |
|
|
|
| 1987 |
|
England
Ladies v Australia Ladies (5 day Test Match) |
|
|
|
| 1988 |
|
England
Ladies v New Zealand Ladies (1 day Test Match) |
A
very sad set of circumstances surround the Hilder family, of
Linton. The 2 sons, Stan and Les both played for Collingham. One
of them, but nobody can remember which, was a trialist for Yorkshire
CCC. They were both killed on active service in World War II, their
father having suffered a similar fate during active service in World War
I. Mrs Hilder, bereft of her family, kept a local shop, and she is
remembered for saying, in 1971, that "this silly decimal money will
never catch on". Oops.
Our
Cricket Club played in the Wetherby League from 1920 to 1993, and won
virtually every possible trophy that could have been won.
One
gentleman, who did so very much for the club was
Roland
J L Ball - known as "Pop" Ball.
Pop
was Secretary of the club from 1929 to 1952, and this was just one of
the offices which he fulfilled in his days with us. Here are some more -
1st
XI Captain 1943-1944
Treasurer
1958 - 1959
Chairman
1961 - 1967
President
1961 - 1999
Quite
a record!
Sadly,
Pop died in December 1999, then aged 93.
Back
in 1888, we do know that the following members held office
President
- T Whitehead
Secretary
- C Catley
Treasurer
- T Wilson
Captain
- J Wardman
May
we ask anyone who has any additional interesting pieces of history of
our club to
use
the "Contact Us" pages to let us know what you have for us.
Now
for some pictures
If
the quality leaves a little to be desired, you will understand!
 |
| Pop
Ball |
|
 |
| The
oldest Fixture Card we can find - 1938 |
|
 |
| Fixtures
from the same Fixture Card |
|
 |
| 1938
Officers |
|
 |
| 1st
XI 1926 - Winners of the Wetherby & District League |
|
| Standing
- E W Smith, R Tooke, B Daniel, N S Smith, J Pearce, O
Brown, |
| Sitting
- J Ramsay, W E North, R C Gibson (Capt), R J L Ball, R K Wilson |
|
 |
| The
opening of the new pavilion on the 3rd July, 1937 |
|
