The Beginning/Historical Facts

The Beginning

The Bournville Cricket Club was founded in 1882.  The Club’s first ground was Frogatts Field which belonged to Frogatts Farm, now the “Old Farm Hotel” (on the corner of Bournville Lane and Linden Road).  The Club’s first opponents were Cape Brewery and the Club’s first cricket captain was George Husband. 

A landmark in the history of the Club was the opening of the Men’s Pavilion on 10 June 1902.  The Pavilion, which provided much needed amenities, was a gift from The Firm in commemoration of the coronation of King Edward VII.  The Pavilion provided accommodation, changing rooms and was equipped with showers and a gymnasium.

 Historical and Fascinating Facts

• 1882 - Bournville Cricket Club founded - Matches played at Froggatt's Field - Now the Old Farm Inn
• 1888 - New ground near the Three Horse Shoes Pub known as the "Celery Trenches"
• 1896 - Former Bournville Wicketkeeper Arthur Frederick August (Dick) Lilley (1866-1929) makes his England debut. Plays 35 times for his country
• 1896 - The Men’s Recreation Ground (home of Bournville Cricket Club) was laid in 1896 with one football pitch, two hockey grounds, two cricket pitches, three lawn tennis courts and two bowling greens.  Later, hard tennis courts and an open air swimming bath were added.
• 1896 - On 13 May 1896, a meeting was called to dissolve the Bournville Cricket and Football Clubs and it was further resolved to form a new club called the Bournville Athletic Club.
• 1897 - New ground and first match on men's recreation. It was recorded that it was a massive undertaking to level the slope from Bournville Lane to the Bourn Brook. The ground was to be laid out for cricket and football and there was to be cycle racing track, together with provision for bowls and quoits.
• 1902 - Introduction of annual matches against Frys. Away games played on the County Ground at Bristol. Work's Magazine reported that Fry's team were met at New Street station and driven to Bournville in Brakes
• 1902 - New Pavilion opened in June
• 1903 & 1904 - E Wakelin and JB Hone-Foster employed as cricketing professionals and coaches.
• 1906 - Clock added to the Pavilion
• 1907 - County Match Worcestershire v Essex. Essex captained by future England J.W.H.T (Johnny Wont Hit Today) Douglas
• 1910 - Bournville was the venue for a first class County Cricket Match in June 1910 when Worcestershire played Essex.  At that time, Bournville was in the County of Worcestershire.
• 1911 - Former Bournville Wicketkeeper Ernest James (Tiger) Smith makes his England debut. Plays 11 times for his country.
• 1912 - County Match Worcestershire v Surrey. Worcestershire include Bournville player E. Wakelin.
• 1914 - R E Turner records Highest individual 1st X1 score of 154 against Harborne Sommerville.
• 1914-1918 - Cricket played throughout the war. 1917 saw RE Turner heading batting averages with 581 runs at 52.81. EJ Fasham headed bowling with 45 wickets at 7.9
• 1921 - EJ Smith's Warwickshire X1 played Bournville X1 in aid of Lord Mayor's Unemployment Fund
• 1927 - On 25 June 1927, Bournville 2nd XI played and beat Wednesbury at Bournville.  Bournville batted first and scored 282 for 0 wickets.  Hampton Budd scored the highest individual score of 200 not out (a club record which still stands today).
• 1930's - Former Bournville player J.B. Higgins captains Worcestershire
• 1930-45 Keith Miller played for visiting teams at Bournville and played a typical attacking innings with one of his six hits clearing the pavilion
• 1967-71 - Warwickshire play several second X1 county matches at Bournville
• 1982 - Centenary Festival Week. Matches against MCCC, Worcestershire League X1 and Harborne
• 1993 - Golden Oldies (Over 40) Festival in Midlands. Bournville took on Australian and New Zealand teams on the Men's rec.