Fry’s CC may be one of Bristol’s oldest cricket clubs but it is not old by cricketing standards, only having been founded in 1872 as part of the Fry’s Sports and Social Club, as the Cricket section for employees working for the company.
The club was formed under the shade of a Hawthorn Bush in Pembroke Road, Clifton and was called Caracas Cricket Club, something the current team acknowledge on the badge of current Fry’s CC cricket shirts. Caracas was the name of the new cocoa JS Fry was making at the time.
The first game was against Bristol Telegraphists and it can only be presumed in ended in defeat for them as it was reported the opposition enjoyed themselves at our expense.
In those days the cricket flourished on Bristol’s Downs when it was too hot for chocolate cake production.
J S Fry has a long association with Gloucester County Cricket Ground and was owned by JS Fry for 1916 to 1932, when it was sold to Gloucester County Cricket Club. The ground was laid open to the specifications of the legendary cricketer WG Grace and opened in 1889.
JS Fry’s popular sports days were staged at the Ashley Down Athletic Ground, which was rented to Gloucester CCC for their County Championship matches.
Friday, 10th June 1921 was a Red Letter Day when the then Prince of Wales visited the ground to watch Gloucestershire play the famous Australian tourists.
At Fry’s CC 50th Jubilee Dinner in 1922 its Chairman WG Ridler said the Australians told them it was the finest playing pitch in England.
When JS Fry moved chocolate production to Keynsham the ground was sold to Gloucester CCC.
Fry’s CC went through a traumatic period around the millennium where the three teams they ran we ran were consolidated over a period of a couple of years into one team for a variety of reasons.
Fry’s CC continued to play at Somerdale until the summer of 2016 when they came close to folding. However, circumstances dictated they would leave their historical home and have ever since played their games, firstly at The Newton Memorial Ground in Saltford, sharing with Stothert & Pitt CC and now at Saltford Community Centre, sharing with Saltford CC.
This year, 2022, saw Fry’ CC celebrate their 150th Anniversary and with a blend loyal of players, some of who have been with the club for 30 and 40 years and younger players in their teens and early twenties, the future looks brighter than it has done for many years.
Fry’s CC still play their games in the Bristol & District Cricket League.
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