| Exmouth
Cricket Club HISTORY
PAGE
History
of the Club
The earliest records of Exmouth fielding a club side relate
to the 1843 season when an Exmouth side was reported in "Trueman's
Flying Post', the local paper of days long past. In all probability
these matches were played at Webbers Field in the grounds
of what is now the Imperial Hotel. The club moved quarter
of a mile to its present location on the Maer in 1867, the
same journal dated 10* July 1867 read, "Since last season
the field has been considerably enlarged and the club have
erected a very commodious clubhouse which supplies all the
requisites of cricketers".
The Post went on to say "The view from the balcony is
one of great beauty" and, although the pavilion and changing
rooms were enlarged in the 1980s, the original character of
the pavilion remains with the changing on the ground floor
and the clubhouse upstairs. The views over the ground to the
south remain as described in 1867 with the western coastline
of Lyme Bay and the Exe Estuary set against the backdrop of
Haldon Hills.
A
local historian is of the belief that cricket in the 1860s
was something of a diversion for gentlemen of the upper class
who regularly visited the Exmouth and Sidmouth area This state
of affairs persisted well into the 1900s when Exmouth boasted
a fixture list that included the MCC, Free Foresters and I
Zingari the quintessence of cricketing aristocracy.
The
season of 1912 proved a very wet one and the club ran into
financial difficulties and a letter appeared in the Exmouth
Journal appealing for funds Following the onset of the Great
War in 1914 cricket continued fitfully and most matches involved
service elevens. The Club was re-established in the 1920s
and since then the club has continued to grow.
1950
proved the next watershed in the club's history when Sunday
cricket was introduced This rapidly improved both the playing
and financial viability of the club and large crowds were
often entertained by an Exmouth Sunday XI playing touring
sides and others including the Sunday Crusaders.
1972
saw the introduction of the Devon League and the quality of
club cricket on Sunday was gradually eroded Exmouth was one
of the fourteen founding clubs and has gone on to become the
league's most successful team, having been league champions
on ten occasions with a record breaking six consecutive-titles
between 1990 and 1995.
Exmouth
Cricket have always been a strong supporter of Devon County
Cricket Club and the demise of Sunday club cricket has coincided
with an increase of County representative sides playing at
the Maer Ground. The club first hosted Devon playing first
class opposition in 1986 in the Natwest trophy when Nottinghamshire
were the visitors led by Clive Rice and including Derek Randall.
The club was surprised and honoured to see a photo of the
match appear on the cover of the match programme for the final
at Lords in September Since that time Devon has entertained
Essex, Derby, Yorkshire (on three occasions), Leicestershire
and Surrey, all played at Exmouth in the early rounds of the
Natwest and subsequently the C & G cup.
2004
is no different with SOMERSET
X1 CCC on the 3rd April coming to play Devon
at Exmouth, with additional one day and Minor County Championship
matches taking place during the summer. DEVON v. DORSET
CCC X1
on
the 2nd May, DEVON v. LEICESTER
CCC X1
on
the Wednesday 5th May.The
club also is hosting county sides from under 11 s right up
to under 19 elevens.
The
club has also contributed heavily to the County side, many
of whom were "home grown'. It is not surprising that
Exmouth's golden years of the 1990s coincided with some of
Devon's most successful periods with the club regularly contributing
five players to the County side.
CHAMPIONS
1998 and 1999. CHAMPIONS 1998 and 1999. Exmouth Cricket
Club were the winners of the Devon Premier Division Trophy.
Latest Additions & Updates
: 5/5/2004
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