A history of Wilmslow Cricket Club.

This is a history in progress, the club welcomes contributions from ex players, officials and anyone from the opposition. The aim is to present a complete and accurate history, which most importantly will be entertaining. 

Wilmslow Cricket Club was formed in 1946, and played its first competitive fixtures in 1947. Based at the Rectory Field, off Broadway Meadow, for all but  ( ) of their 62 year history, the ground is just a cricket ball's throw from the town centre.

When league cricket was introduced to Cheshire in the early seventies, Wilmslow CC played in the Cheshire Competition and finished as runners up for the first two seasons.  This was a relatively successful period for the club, as they shared the ground and a club house with Wilmslow Hockey Club, Wilmslow Sports Club also made use of a football pitch.

Plans to build a swimming pool and a leisure centre on the rectory field, although welcomed by the town, provided the club with some real challenges.  Alternative accommodation was on offer at the Oakwood Farm site in Styal, but also on the table was a return to the Rectory once the leisure centre had been built, and a new square and outfield was completed.

The decision to return to the Rectory, was both brave and inspired but led to a difficult few years as home matches took place on the Jim Evison Playing Fields, a council ground with little characteur, a variable and inconsistent wicket and a rugby pitch for an outfield. Crucially during this period a hardcore of senior players and a fledgling youth section kept the club alive and whilst results were generally poor, the Second XI did make a cup final.

This group of juniors were to be the backbone of the most successful teams in Wilmslows history to date.  The Cheshire Competition morphed into the Shammah Nicholls and a second division was added as the Cheshire Pyramid of Cricket Leagues was developed. From 199() Wilmslow teams dominated both the Cheshire Competitions league and cup competitions.

As the century turned, the opportunity arose to move up the leagues within the pyramid.  Wilmslow were one of a number of teams from the Shammah Nicholls who, having been promoted into the third division of the Cheshire League, were then promoted again and again.  Since topping the first division of the Cheshire League for a couple of games in 200( ), fortunes have been reversed slightly and the club will compete in the third division of the Cheshire league in 2009.

Unconventional it might be, but the changing facilities and tea facilities provided by the leisure centre are second to none.  The club is responsible for preparing the wicket, continues to improve its practice facilities, and now provides competitive cricket for 3 senior teams and junior teams at under 11,13 and 15 years.

A family club, Wilmslow CC is fortunate to have a vice president section, club sponsors and a number of social/fundraising events which support the playing section.

New players, sponsors, and volunteers are most welcome. The club is particularly keen to recruit scorers, umpires and groundsmen. No experience required, full training given.