Our Club members and I are therefore the current custodians of over three generations of cricket tradition through the clubs who have continually played cricket in Windsor’s Home Park, spanning well over a hundred years. Our records show that cricket was being played here in these idyllic surrounding in the shadow of Windsor Castle by the River Thames as long ago as 1867.

The first recording meeting was of Windsor and Eton Alexandra Cricket Club and was held in the school rooms in Bachelors Acre on 5th April 1867 attended by four gentlemen, W Runicles, R. Fear, W. Mayes and Mr Thomas, The first Annual General Meeting was reported in the Windsor and Eton Express, when it was agreed to purchase three new balls for the princely sum of five shillings. Mr Runicles presented a set of stumps and promised to present a bat to the highest scorer. Mr Runicles’ generosity resulted in him being elected the first Club captain. Their Fixtures that year included matches against Richmond CC, Datchet CC, the Great Western (Railway) CC, and Cumberland Lodge CC.

Interesting minutes of the Club in 1873, include a novel agreement when the committee decided to place an order for soft shoes for the horse that pulled the roller!

The origins of Windsor and Eton Cricket Club and Windsor Victoria Cricket Clubs go back over 90 years as they were formed around 1911 when Alexandra CC, and Phoenix CC and Home Park CC were all restructured. This information is thoroughly recorded in a booklet called “The First Century” produced by Windsor and Eton CC in 1967. They celebrated the Centenary Year with a series of Events including matches against the Local MP’s XI Berkshire CC, the Lord’s Taverners and the MCC.

The amalgamation has of course increased our membership and has raised our playing standard as it was intended to do. Our first XI has risen in the last few years from Division 3 to Division 1 in the Thames Valley League. All teams have benefited from the progress of our young colts and from our excellent club spirit and social activities.

This year is our 11th Anniversary since the formation of Windsor Cricket Club. It is also about 95 years since Windsor and Eton and Windsor Cricket Clubs commenced and 139 years since the first recorded games of cricket on the Home Park. I sincerely hope therefore that future generations continue to play cricket on the Home Park for at least another 138 years and that they have the same healthy competitive sporting fun that our Club so much enjoys.

Tony Monk

President

Windsor CC