Welcome to Earls Colne Cricket Club

We play in the Two Counties Saturday League and were divisional winners in 2021.

We are a friendly club who are proud to represent the Earls Colne community – all ages, sexes and abilities are welcome to join us. Find out more.

Our home games and practice net sessions are held at the Earls Colne Recreation Club. As cricket club members you will also get full membership and access to all recreation club facilities.

Nets are on Wednesday evenings from 6pm. Come along – whether you are a curious cricketer or practiced player – to try it out and meet the team. We would love to see you.

About

Since 1838, we’ve done our best to be Earls Colne’s friendliest (and only) cricket club.

Our history

The thwack  of leather on willow has been a familiar sound in Earls Colne for decades. Cricket has been played for more than 180 years , dating from the days players wore straw hats and striped blazers.

According to some records the club was founded in 1876 with subscriptions for players set at ten shillings (50 pence); however, games were played between Colnes and Halstead much earlier.

Mr Gouldstone, the umpire, had a harness maker shop in the High Street at the time, where the club’s cricketing gear was kept. A professional was employed  on the upkeep of the ground and wickets

Before the First Wold War there were two clubs: The Atlas Works Social Club had a ground on a meadow opposite Hay House. The scoreboard was placed next to an old oak tree which provided the only shade for spectators. A barrel of beer was provided for refreshments for the players.

During the Second World War matches were played against army and RAF teams who were stationed locally. Eventually R. Hunt and Co, who owned the current home Green Farm Meadow, turned it into a village sports ground .

The Colne club’s scorebooks dating from 1897 and some of the records are kept at the village’s heritage museum.

Over the years the club has entertained county cricketers. In 1975, the club took on Essex County players before a large crowd for a Brian Edmeades benefit match.

Currently Earls Colne plays in the Two Counties League, which they were divisional winners in 2021.

Contact

If you have any questions or you’re interested in joining the club, please get in touch with us using the form below. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Patrick Kerry (Chairman/ Fixtures)

Danny Taylor (Club Secretary)

Terry Prestney (Groundsman)

David Griffith (Club Captain)