Chard Cricket Club – Club History

Many of the young men of the town it reported, had become active members of the Club and quite a few of their fathers Honorary Members. The newspaper referred to the healthful exercise arising from Cricket practice during the summer evenings. It went onto say that people had picked up bats in earlier years in pursuit of this “harmless exercise” but this was the first organised attempt to play the game in the town. The Cricket Field was at Lordlease. 

Cricket was only available to a select few as costs were high and leisure time limited. Games were arranged amongst themselves like Married v Singles, Captains team v Secretary’s team. Gradually the popularity of the game increased and village sides like Tatworth, Combe St Nicholas, Chardstock St Andrews provided the opposition. When the railway came in the 1860s trips were made to Seaton, Sidmouth and Honiton.

In 1877 the field behind the George Hotel (present site of Club) was used for the first time. Subscriptions were considered too high at 5 shillings and so a rival Club, the Chard Standard was formed. They played at Crimchard and whilst the Chard Club enjoyed celebrations at the George, the Standard used the Crown for revelry. By 1883 though the two Clubs had merged. The Cricket ground was part of Lord Poulett’s estate. His Manor stretched from Hinton St George. The agreement to play on the “George field” stated that “ cattle should still be allowed to graze as well as the Volunteers to drill. 

A large number of players wore blazers. The Club was seen to be elitist. At the AGM in 1894 a Mr Dwelly wanted to make the Club more universal. He said it was too exclusive with players place of work determining membership and proposed subscriptions be lowered. Others argued that lower subs would allow people to play who would get bats dirty! Open membership did not arrive until the late 1940s.

In the 1890s a square was laid and a new thatched Pavilion costing £99 was erected. It was about this time that the 3 Dening Brothers, William, Herbert and Ernest  started to play,and so began a 40 year family association with the Club. The family were the major town employers making agricultural machinery in their 2 factories. With the town having also 2 large  lace factories a link was established with Nottinghamshire Cricket Club. In 1898 the first professional was appointed and he was Joe Carlin of  Nottinghamshire. 

As well as playing, the Pro acted as groundsman. If he was retained he was employed during the winter in the Dening’s factory. From 1904 to 1925, with the exception of the War years, two professionals were appointed every year. Somewere obviously outstanding players as was shown in the early 1920s when  Jones and Baitup went onto the County Staff after leaving the Club. Mention must be made of Pro Reg Rooks who took over 140 wickets every year between 1928 and 1933.

After World War 2 the Club struggled both for finance and players. Thanks to Club stalwarts Bill Woolcott. Geoff Rideout, Bill Coles and John Pratt the Club survived despite the burning down of the thatched Pavilion in 1961. The 1960s and 70s saw a revival in Club fortunes with a 3^rd XI being formed in 1975 and a 4^th XI in 1979. New Clubhouse facilities were built in 1984 and 1990. 

On the playing side, the Club won the Somerset Senior Cup for the first time in 1977 and the Premier Division of the Somerset League in 1990. About this time Richard Baigent became the first Chard player to spend a winter playing Cricket in Australia and thus began a great relationship with Australian players playing Summer Cricket here.

With few opportunities for local schoolchildren to play Cricket in our local Schools, investing time and energy Coaching our own players, has always been important, Today we have over 150 Junior members playing in 8 teams. Our Girls section organised by Phil Griffiths is very strong and we have Ladies hard and soft ball teams as a result.