Devizes Cricket Club
Established 1850
The history of the club was traced back to its origins in it's centenary year by the late J.S.Weeks (Joe). He compliled and edited what he described as a "booklet" priced at 2/6d. The following information is taken from what is in fact a substantial publication.
The first mention of cricket in Devizes was in the "Oxford Journal" of September 3rd 1774. It tells of the tradesman of Malborough playing the tradesmen of Devizes on Beckhampton Downs. There are numerous records of cricket being played by the men of Devizes up to 1850. The "booklet" states that during the May of 1850 a number of young men from Devizes, together with a few from Potterne, met together and decided to form a cricket club called Devizes Cricket Club. This was covered by the "Wiltshire Gazette" on the 20th May 1850.
Although the first and second World Wars curtailed availability of players, cricket continued to be played at the club. The first club ground was located on the right hand side of Quaker's Walk, near the current London Road Ground.
The latter was first occupied in 1887. It was finally purchased for the sum of £1000 from Roundway Estates in 1945. The present day sees another significant development with a new clubhouse and an additional cricket ground to the North of our existing ground.
About Devizes Cricket Club
Devizes Cricket Club offers a wide variety of standards of cricket to accommodate players from all levels of ability and age. The high standards of playing and social facilities at the London Road ground are the perfect settings for both players and spectators alike to enjoy this wonderful sport.
Spectators, coaches for youth and senior players, umpires, scorers, tea ladies (or gentleman) and ground assistants are always welcome to come along and join the club, so even if you do not play cricket, there is plenty of opportunity to get involved with a progressive club.
Three Saturday League teams are fielded. The 1st XI compete in the West of England Premier Wiltshire Division. This high level of cricket will appeal to the more talented player who enjoys tough competive sport.
The 2nd and 3rd XI compete in the Wadworths sponsored Wiltshire County League, providing competive sport for the lesser talented, the experienced player whose ability is impaired by middle aged spread and the onset of arthritis. Most importantly this is an opportunity to develop young players that have progresed through the clubs youth coaching schemes.
On Wednesday evenings the club will field a team for 20/20 cricket. These games provide a
friendly game of cricket to players of all ages and abilities.
In 2014 the club started a ladies playing section with coaching taking place on Thursday evenings through-out the summer season with both soft and hard ball sessions. Playing their first competive matches in 2015, the ladies have made excellent progress and remain unbeaten through both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Recently they were crowned Indoor champions of Wiltshire by winning the finals of the very first Viper Indoor Club Competition of 2016.
Devizes Cricket Club operates an active youth policy, providing qualified coaching to young boys and girls at Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 year level. Games with the other clubs are organised and played regularly by each age group.
Social events are also organised on a regular basis at our fantastic sports club pavilion. Quizzes, Curry Nights, Casino Evenings, Barbacues, Disco's and Dinners are just a few of the events that take place each year.
The clubs 6-a-side tournament is probably the best organised and most popular cricket
event in Wiltshire, with 24 teams entertaining crowds of 200.
If you would like to join Devizes Cricket Club, please contact the
membership secretary Julie Stoner at Devizes Cricket Club.