The History of Alcester & Ragley Park Cricket Club

The History of Alcester & Ragley Park Cricket Club


A Club Steeped in Tradition

Alcester & Ragley Park Cricket Club has a rich history, as one of the founding members of the Cotswold Hills League the club has had it's share of on and off field success over the years.

The club has seen many faces come and go and some old names still hold big records at the club yet to be broken.

1864
Club founded as Alcester Cricket Club

1871
Club moves to Ragley Park - becomes Arrow and Ragley Cricket Club

1872
June 15th - W.G Grace scores 114 at Ragley for the United South of England XI

1903
First mention of a Bunting - 33 N.O vs Astwood bank

1939
Last seaon before the War, still dominated by the Buntings and the Sisams

1946
First season after the War, Club now known as Alcester & Ragley Park Cricket Club

1953
Frank Clark scores 152 in club record score of 296 for 6 vs Norton Lindsey

1964
Opening of the new pavillion by Marquis of Hertford

1967
1st XI winners of the Redditch Indicator shield for the 1st time

1967
Three players (T. Geden, J. Shepherd and T. Hayward) score 1000 runs in a season

1968
1st XI winners of the Studley knock-out Trophy

1969
Peter Hunt scores club record of 166 N.O vs Leamington

1970
Johnny Johnson takes 109 wickets in a season

1971
Club Centenary

1972
Club celebrates its centenary (1971) with a match against the Presidents XI

1973
First club tour to Devon and Somerset

1980
Launch of the youth section

1981
First season of the Cotswold hills league for the 1st and 2nd XI s

1986
1st XI runners up in Cotswold Hills Premier Division

1992
Club join Cotswold Hills League for under 16s

1995
1st XI runners up in Cotswold Hills Premier Division

1996
Introduction of Six a Side tournament in memory of Mike Sunderland

1997
S. Quirke scores 1013 runs in the league averaging 144.71

1997
R. Randall retires after 16 years of chairmanship & 50 years as a player. He is made a life member

1998
Installation of 2 all weather practice nets

1998
Shaun Quirke named as 1 of the 5 Midlands Club Cricketers of the year

1999
Shaun Quirke beats club batting record by scoring 211 vs Harborne

2000
P. Hedges and A. Haines set a record partnership for the 2nd XI of 293 vs Twyning.

2002
Nick Chadbourne beats previous batting record and scores 214 N.O vs Shipston

2003
The Saturday First XI are promoted to the Premier Division after finishing 2nd

2004
The Under 12 team are crowned champions of their league

2005
ARPCC win the inaugural Tom Pigeon 6-a-side Memorial Tournament

2006
The Saturday First XI are promoted back to the Premier Division after finishing 2nd

2007
Frank Wood becomes Chairman and, with Vice chairman David Haines, they set in motion the start of improvements to ARPCC. They set out three main targets: To extend the ground, Replace the old nets and finally to build a new pavillion.

2008
A girls team is created and reach the regional final.
The Under 16 boys team win league trophy and then go on to reach reach the Midlands 20/20 final.
Shaun Quirke leaves after 20 years. He is the greatest performing player for the club, often averaging over 100 in league seasons.
Mushtaq Mohammad plays in a friendly match Vs Sunday Second XI

2009
The ground is expanded to increase the playing pitch and to also accomodate the proposed new pavillion.
The girls team plays in the Under 14 Boys league
The Under 13 team are crowned champions of the league

2011
New All-Weather Nets Installed at the turn of the year as part of ground redevelopment