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The fascinating history of Cricket in Streatham is told in a new book by Colin Hutton called "STREATHAM AND THE SUMMER GAME" published by the Streatham Society.

Cricket has been a popular game in the town since at least 1731 when a local Streatham side challenged Clapham to a game on Streatham Common with a prize purse for the winner of 11 guineas (£11.55p).

George Williams, the licensee of the White Lion pub, captained the side and also provided refreshments at matches which were attended by his "flying squadron of Red Caps".

On Monday 5th May 1806 the Streatham Cricket Club was formed at the Horse and Groom public House. Membership was originally restricted to forty players who each paid an annual subscription of five guineas (£5.25), thus ensuring that the exclusivity of the group would be limited to the gentry who could afford the membership fee.

However, those poorer members of the parish were still able to enjoy the game with a number of local teams being formed by the less affluent residents of the area.

In January 1807 a further meeting was held at the London Tavern to revise the rules of the Streatham Cricket Club and iron out some problems which occurred during its first season. It would seem that some of the players had been coming late to the crease as it was decided that those members attending the game after "Half-past Three o'clock by the President's Watch, shall forfeit Half a Crown (12½p)." Other members had adopted a colourful presence before the wicket leading to the introduction of Rule 15 which states "Any Gentleman playing in coloured Jackets, Breeches, or Pantaloons, shall be fined Half a Crown; Nankeen or White may be worn at pleasure." To encourage each player to give of their best, the club decided that each member on the losing side should pay two
shillings (10p) into the hands of the Secretary for every game lost. No mention is made as to what purpose the money accruing from fines should be put, but needless to say the preparation of the pitch and the refreshment of the players would have been considered worthy causes.

For almost eighty years the club played their home fixtures on Streatham Common, where their wicket was roped off to protect the surface of the pitch from the public. The club subsequently moved to their own ground which occupied a site now covered by Gracefield Gardens, named to commemorate the great cricketer W. G. Grace who played there on a number of occasion at the turn of the 20th century. After the First World war the club moved to a new ground it shared with the Streatham Rugby Football Club at the rear of 159 Brigstock Road in Thornton Heath, which today is the home ground of the Streatham and Croydon Rugby Club.

Over the past 40 years Streatham CC merged with a number of local sides amalgamating with the Streatham Wanderers CC in 1973; the Old Hollingtonians CC in 1977 and lastly with the Marlborough (1870) CC in 2003, since when the club has been known as The Streatham and Marlborough Cricket Club with its home ground at Cox's Walk, Dulwich Common.

Many members of the Streatham Cricket Club have played for Surrey, including Kingsmill James Key who captained the Surrey County eleven from 1894-99. Another member of the Streatham Club, the great sportsman C B Fry, was so admired internationally that he was invited to become the King of Albania, an offer he politely declined. Streatham CC can also count a Prime Minister among its past players as John Major played a couple of games for the Streatham Colts in 1960.

Streatham and the Summer Game is profusely illustrated with over 230 old photographs and illustrations many of which show players in late Victorian and Edwardian Streatham.

The book costs £15, plus £1.25 postage and packing, and is available from The Streatham Society, 3 Rowan Crescent, Streatham, London SW16 5JA. Cheques should be made payable to THE STREATHAM SOCIETY.

For further information contact:

The Streatham Society, 220 Woodmansterne Road, Streatham, London SW16 5UA.

Tel 020 8764 8314

Email: b.bloice@btinternet.com