Celebrating 125 Years
Merton Cricket Club, one of the oldest local clubs in Surrey is delighted to commemorate its 125th anniversary in 2015.
The club was formed in 1890 and since 1908 home games have been played at the picturesque John Innes Recreation Ground in Cannon Hill Lane, a stone’s throw away from Wimbledon Chase Station. Three years after becoming the club’s home ground John Innes Park was chosen to be the venue for a Surrey 2nd XI v Lancashire 2nd XI fixture. Surrey won the match by 4 runs and amongst their ranks was a player called Andy Sandham – later to become the first-ever player to score a triple hundred in a Test match innings.9
Three of the finest cricketers to play for both Surrey (in the County Championship) and Test cricket for England have links with Merton Cricket Club. Sir Jack Hobbs, despite retiring in 1930, is still 11th on the all-time Test cricket batting averages and recognised as one of England’s greatest-ever players, and he became heavily involved with Merton shortly afterwards retiring from first-class cricket. After retiring from first-class cricket (scoring 56 first class centuries and representing Crystal Palace and Southampton as a footballer) Laurie Fishlock became a regular fixture for Merton while Surrey and England’s Pat Pocock cut his teeth playing and scoring for Merton in the 1950’s.
There have been testing times as well – the present clubhouse stands on the same spot as the old one which was almost totally destroyed by fire in 1990. But this setback was not enough to extinguish the spirit of the club, and the determination of Merton’s members not only saw the club through that unhappy period but got it to where it is today – in the best shape it has ever been in.
Merton Cricket Club is honoured to be one of Surrey’s oldest cricket clubs. The Committee is determined that the Club will enjoy every minute of its 125th birthday, and raise a glass and give three cheers to the next 125 years of Merton Cricket Club.