TIMELINE 1881-2017

timeline 1881-2018

picture

date

information

Leighton Banastre owned by first President Reginald Haigh .

1881

1881 Neston District Cricket 1st played at Parkgate at Reginald Haigh’s house, Leighton Banastre, Parkgate. Reginald Haigh was a Cotton Broker and married into the Grenfell Family, who owned Mostyn House and land where the present Club is situated.

President Reginald Haigh had a cricket pitch in the garden and cricket was first played on an ad hoc basis from 1881.

1894

1894 Neston C.C. Founded by Dr Harry Martingale Speechly on 5 September 1894. Speechly was a friend of Dr Wilfred Grenfell and was the school doctor.

The same view on 3 January 2015 as seen from Harry's bedroom.

1895

1895 First cricket game played at present ground and Reginald Haigh became the first President and Harry Speechley was the first Neston Cricket 1st Team Captain.

This picture was taken shortly after the new Cricket Pavilion was built, with Dr Speechly, wicket-keeping, in a match with boys from Mostyn House, with which we had a close connection with.

1897

1897 1st Cricket Pavilion was built and the 1st century was made by J.F. Grundy, 105 not out.

1899

1899 Earliest Group photograph, with Dr Harry Speechly sitting, with a piece of paper in his hand. Note 212 for 11 wickets!

Statement of Accounts for 1900.

1900

1900 Neston Cricket 2nd XI was formed Captained by Hugh Coventry. In 1900 we had 35 games to be played and only six were cancelled.

1904

1904 G.L. Vosper scores a Club record 219 v Wallasey.

The ECB Premier League Trophy - The John Tristram Trophy

1908

1908 Neston Cricket joined The Liverpool Daily Post and Echo Competition. Later in 1969 The ECB Premier League Trophy was donated by Neston member John Tristram and incredibly he gave the Cup to Neston in 1969 and 1970!

1913

1913 Neston Cricket employed our 1st Groundsman a H.Hall from Nottingham.

1914

1918

1914 Outbreak of World War 1.

Neston Cricket Team was reduced to 8 players, so play was abandoned and the ground was let to a farmer for grazing sheep!

1919

1919 Neston Cricket restarted with Frank Kirby Captaining the new side.

1921

1921 A Tennis Section was officially affiliated to the committee and grass courts were constructed where they are presently.

1922

1922 The front cricket pitch, grass tennis courts was bought with help from Club Members and benefactor Captain Russell for £2000. A 3rd XI was formed with R.H. Yapp as Captain

1st Team 1924

Standing L to R: P.A Wright (Umpire), H.Swift, L.FSchruder, J.M.Swift, G.A Beausire, D.C.Milne, S.Huntley. Jim Smith
Sitting L to R: G.B.Eaton (President), G.Trantom, H.L.Okell (Captain), H.J.Beausire (Vice Captain), C.J.H.Samuels

1924

1924 Henry Beausire takes all 10 wickets against Ormskirk for 22 runs off 13 overs, a club and district record, to this day. The other Bowler was called J.W.Bowler and he also had 13 overs with 6 maidens and only 12 runs, but no wickets!

Link to score card v Ormskirk.

Tennis Pavilion built in 1925.

1925

1925 The present wooden Tennis Pavilion was built. Cricket professional Watson Nutter became the first professional employed by the club.

The oldest official team photo with names from the 1925 tour to Nottinghamshire.

1st Team 1927:
BACK: Umpire, J.B.Glynn (President), J.F.Culwell (Hon Sec), Jim Smith. STANDING: Scorer, J.W. Bowler, J.S. Tanner, W Nutter, H.P. Swift. Jim Smith. SITTING: J.M Swift, C.J.H. Samuels, F.J.Griffiths (Capt), H.H. Tomlinson, L.G.P. Moore. CROSS LEGGED: J.W.P. Hughes, J.H.B. Sullivan.

1927

1927 The Team Photo of 1927, who's names all appear below. The fellow called Jim Smith, was a Parkgate Fisherman, seen at the extreme back and right standing, with his arms on the verandah balcony. He was associated with the club since 1895 and was known as "Old Jim". He helped out rolling the wicket and fixing nets. he was second team umpire and apparently his decisions could be heard across the Dee!

2nd Team 1928.

1928

1928 The oldest 2nd Team Photo we have with L.H.Wright Captaining the side. Although the club had enough players to start a 2nd XI in 1900.

1932

1932 Eddie Bates, became Neston C.C's 2nd Cricket professional, he had played cricket for Yorkshire and Glamorgan as well as football for Leeds United. He scored 5 centuries in 1933 and that year scored 1136 at an average of 47.30. He took 111 wickets in 1935!

Alan Pennington, Neston batsman and Olympian!

Jesse Owens.

1936

1936 Alan Pennington, who played cricket for Neston, was also a Great Britain sprinter and ran in the 100m semi-final against Jesse Owens who went on to win 4 Gold medals in Berlin.

1st Team 1939 Arthur Ashwell is standing far right. H.J. Beausire is Captain and a young J.M Swift is sitting far right.

1937

1937 Arthur Ashwell from Kent becomes the 3rd Cricket professional and remained at the club for decades coaching the youngsters.

1939

1945

1939 Start of World War 2, but cricket and tennis was played throughout but in a reduced capacity.

1945 The war ends and membership starts to flourish.

Ken Cranston leads the team out in 1946.

The winning Team of 1946.

1946

1946 Ken Cranston Captains Neston Cricket and they win The Liverpool District for the 1st time, although this competition was not officially recognised until 1949. Ken Cranston leads the team out in 1946. Behind him is H.J. Beausire, wicket-keeper H.G.E. Prescott. Behind the wicket-keeper is G.A. MacDonald and in the centre, with the moustache is J.M.Swift.

Bowling against the S.Africans in 1947 w.w.ww

The toss with George Headley.

1947

1947 Neston Crickets very own Ken Cranston, Captains Lancashire and then Captains England in the Winter tour of The West Indies. Cranston was appointed as captain of Lancashire in 1947. He was immediately successful in first-class cricket, and made his Test cricket debut in the Third Test against South Africa at Old Trafford on 5 July 1947, less than eight weeks after his first-class debut. In the Fourth Test at Headingley, he took four wickets in six balls (w.w.ww) to end the South African second innings.
He Captained England once in the West Indies Tour of 1947/48, because Gubby Allen was injured, they drew that match but lost the series.
He was selected for the Fourth Test in the Ashes series against the Invincibles, in which the tourists scored 404 on the final day to win the match. This was his last Test as he had to concentrate on his Dentistry practice.

1948

1948 The picture opposite, shows J.M. Swift successfully directing a ball between 1st slip and the keeper. The side at that time was made up a fine number of cricketers, not only Ken Cranston.

Opening of the Back Pitch 25 June 1955. Mr Forsyth, Mrs F.J. Griffiths, Mr A.M.D. Grenfell, Mr F.J.Griffiths (President), Mr H.J.Beusire

1955

1955 Through the hard work of groundsman Jack Forshaw the back pitch was opened by President Freddie Griffiths.

The Back 3rd XI pitch was generously offered by Mostyn House Headmaster Mr Daryl Grenfell.

The opening of the Back Pitch was celebrated with an Internal game. The President Mr Freddy Griffiths opens the bowling, still dressed in his suit. Mr Daryl Grenfell, the Headmaster of Mostyn House, who sold the land at a generous fee, was the umpire and Mr H.Jim Beausire was a huge campaigner in the purchase of this pitch, which we still have. Not many cricket clubs have two pitches and many say it is a better track on the back than the front!

Spectators watching from the Tea Room.

1957

1957 Neston Cricket won under the Captaincy of Ken Cranston their 1st official Liverpool and District Competition.

1961

1961 Neston Cricket 2nd Team win The 2nd Team Liverpool and District Competition, under the Captaincy of Keith Osborne.

1962

1962 Neston Cricket 1st Team Captaincy is taken over by Brian Johnson in 1961 from Ken Cranston, this is a photo of the 1962 team.
Neston Cricket 2nd team finish runners-up under the Captaincy of Peter Attfield.

1963

1963 The Mens Hockey Section was formed by David Jellicoe and started playing on the cricket outfield. Many cricketers who had hockey skills and some who didn't, joined the teams. It was a clever use of the outfield, in fact it naturally scarified the outfield, whilst also putting people in the bar in the winter months.
Neston Cricket 2nd team finish runners-up under the Captaincy of Peter Attfield.

Ward (Umpire), Richardson,Jackson, Loosemore, Tottey, Taylor, Evans, Mrs Ennion. Barker, Routledge, Attfield (Capt), Ennion, Osborne

1964

1964 Neston Cricket 2nd Team win The 2nd Team Liverpool and District Competition, for the second time, under the Captaincy of Peter Attfield.

1965

1965 Neston Cricket win their 2nd Liverpool and District Competitions under the Captaincy of Donald Hughes. We were runners-up the following year in 1966.

1966

1966 Neston Cricket 2nd Team win The 2nd Team Liverpool and District Competition, under the Captaincy of Harvey Routledge.

The 1969 Championship 1st Team

1969

1969 Neston Cricket win their 2nd Liverpool and District Competitions under the Captaincy of Brian Ennion.

The 1970 Championship 1st Team

1970

1970 Neston Cricket achieve back to back Liverpool and District Competitions under the Captaincy of Brian Ennion again. These two years Neston went unbeaten!

The downstairs Tea-room in construction.

The New and the Old.....

1971

1971 The Clubhouse is rebuilt after a fire and add three Squash Courts and the latest sport, Neston Squash join Neston.

Geoff Poole kneeling 3rd from the right. Peter Cross standing left.

Deryn Ennion was the force behind Neston Ladies Hockey start, she is standing 2nd from right, along with Gwen peers 3rd from right and Sue Totty knelling far left.

1972

1972 Neston Mens Hockey win their 1st Cheshire Cup, under the Captaincy of GB International Geoff Poole.

Neston Ladies Hockey form under the guidance of Deryn Ennion and start playing along side the men on the grass.

Deryn Ennion was the force behind Neston Ladies Hockey start, she is standing 2nd from right, along with Gwen Peers 3rd from right and Sue Totty knelling far left.

1977

1977 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup for the 2nd time, under the Captaincy of Geoff Poole.

1978

1978 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup, under the Captaincy of Geoff Poole.

Neston Tennis join the newly formed Wirral Tennis League and come 5th in Division 1, our 2nd Team are Runners-Up in Division 2 and promoted to join our 1st Team in Division 1.

The 1979 H.A.Cup Final Runners-Up

1979

1979 Neston Mens Hockey become Runners-Up in the E.H Cup against Slough, under the Captaincy of Geoff Poole. This is equivalent of the Football F.A Cup, so an incredible achievement in such a short time.

1980

1980 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup, for the 5th time under the Captaincy of Geoff Poole.

Neston 1st Hockey Team

1981

1981 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup under the Captaincy of Colin Cubley.
We hold both Cheshire Cups in Cricket and Hockey.
Neston Mens Hockey are Semi-Finalists in the H.A.Cup.
Neston Tennis win their 1st Wirral Tennis Division 1 title, under the Captaincy of Nikki Peters. Neston Tennis 2nd team win Division 2 to make it a double.
Neston CC celebrate its centenary 1881-1981.

1982

1982 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup.
Neston Tennis win back to back Division 1 titles.

Captain Colin Cubley receives the H.A. Cup in St Albans, 1983

Captain Norman Halsall receives the Cricket Cheshire Cup.

L to R: M.Doyle, P.Davis, R.Thorn, J.Marshall, N.Halsall (Capt), J.Cropper, D.Jones, K.Peers, R.Horton, C.Hurst, J.Fennah, G.Schofield.

1983

1983 Neston Mens Hockey win the EH Cup, under the Captaincy of Colin Cubley, against Slough 3-2, Steve Greene scores a brace and Tony Pickthall scored the other.
Neston Cricket win The Cheshire Cup, under the Captaincy of Norman Halsall and as Neston Mens Hockey also won The Cheshire Cup, to make four on the bounce.
We hold both Cricket and Hockey Cheshire Cups again!
To cap probably our best sporting year off the Neston Mens Hockey U21's win the U21 Cheshire Cup.
Neston Tennis are Runners-Up up in the Wirral League Division 1.

Standing L to R: G.Poole (Manager), S.Smith, C.Ashcroft, D.Peters, S.Greene, C.Cubley, (Capt), J.Royce, A.Rowntree, M.Wilkinson, P.Renshaw, T.Clarke (Coach)
Sitting L to R: J.Peters, D Stanard, A.Pickthall, R.Beswick, P.McKeown, D.Church, P.Wise

1984

1984 Neston Mens Hockey Team represented England in The European Club Cup.
Neston Mens Hockey also won the National Inter League Title, this was before National Leagues!
Neston Mens Hockey U21's win the U21 Cheshire Cup.

Neston 1st XI Cricket Team

1985

1985 Neston Cricket win The Cheshire Cup under the Captaincy Norman Halsall again.
Neston Mens Hockey U21's win the U21 Cheshire Cup.
Neston Tennis win their 3rd Wirral League Title.

1986

1986 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup.
Neston Mens Hockey U21's win the U21 Cheshire Cup, 4th time on the run.

Neston Tennis win their 4th Wirral Division 1 title.

1987

1987 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup, under the Captaincy of Chris Ashcroft.
They are 1/4 Finalists in the H.A. Cup.
Neston Tennis win their 5th Wirral Division 1 title.
Neston Mens Hockey enter the Hockey National League, which is set up this year.

1988

1988 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup.
Neston Tennis win their 6th Wirral Division 1 title.
Neston Cricket 3rd XI win the double the 3rd Division and the Cup.

1989

1989 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup.
They are 1/4 Finalists in the H.A. Cup.
Neston Tennis win their 7th Wirral Division 1 title.

Captain Chris Ashcroft, gets sprayed with Champagne by Richard Beswick.

1990

1990 Neston Mens Hockey win the National Division 2 League Cup.
Neston Tennis win their 8th Wirral Division 1 title.

1991

1991 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup and finish 9th in the top National League, Division 1.

Neston Ladies Hockey win the Girls U18 National Championships.

Neston Tennis win their 9th Wirral Division 1 title, making a record 7 in a row.

Captain Phil Davis and the 1992 Cricket 1st Team.

Standing L to R: P.Barber, R.Thorn, A.Bass, A.Woolley, J.Carpenter, C.Hurst, D.Collyer, A.Joslin (Scorer).
Front L to R: G.Schofield, D.Jones, P.Davis (Capt), K.Peers, D.Wright.

1992

1992 Neston Cricket win their 5th Liverpool and District Competitions under the Captaincy of Phil Davis. They also win the Liverpool Echo Cup and George Rowland Cup.
Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Cup. They finish 11th in the top National League, Division 1.

Neston Hockey 1st Team with Captain Chris Ashcroft.

1993

1993 Neston Cricket 2nd Team, under the Captaincy of Jim Marshall, win their 4th 2nd Team Liverpool and District Competition.
Neston Mens Hockey are 18th in Division 1 of The Hockey National League and relegated.
Neston Tennis win their 10th Wirral Division 1 title.

Standing L to R: S. Marshall, N.Marshall (scorer), J.Scriven, P.Barber, D.Wright, G.Davies, S.Egerton, G.Lea-Swain, J.Ennion (Umpire).
Sitting L to R: G.Scofield, J.Marshall, R.Thorn (Capt), K.Peers.

1997

1997 Neston Cricket 2nd Team win their 5th 2nd Team Liverpool and District Competition, under the captaincy of Dickie Thorn.

South Wirral HC join forces with Neston Hockey.

2001

2001 Neston Mens Hockey join forces with South Wirral Hockey Club.

Neston Cricket switch from the Liverpool & District Competition to The Cheshire Premier League

2005

The Club brings in a Club Manager, ex player and member Andy Woolley to run the day to day growth in the clubs use.

2005 Neston Squash are Runners-Up in North West Div 3

Captain Lawrence McNeight and Neston Hockey 1st Team win The Cheshire Plate 2006.

2006

2006 Neston Mens Hockey win The Cheshire Plate, under the Captaincy of Lawrence McNeight.

2007

2007 Neston Cricket 1st XI are Runners-Up, under the Captaincy of Stan Clifford, in The Cheshire Premier Competition.

2008

2008 Neston Squash are Runners-Up in North West Div 3.

Neston Cricket Club 1971-2009

Neston Cricket Club from 2009.

2009

2009 Neston build an extension The Cranston Suite and a Hockey Astro, under the Presidency of Andy Wallis.
It is the biggest investment in the club that was spread between a National Lottery Grant, Members generosity and a hefty Bank loan!
The Cranston Suite was designed to hold 140 seated for corporate functions, weddings and parties, which creates a income stream for the club.
The Astro came about at the same time after Norman Sutton got through our Planning permission and along with Tim Brooker who got the Fund Raising going.
The Astro was opened in May 2009 and the the Cranston Suite was opened by Geoff Miller at a Dinner hosted by Andy Wallis the President who was the driving force behind the face lift / extension along with a small group that included Architect Simon Almond, Accountant Phil Bates and House Chairman Bob Cooke, amongst others.
They worked tirelessly often meeting twice a week over an eighteen month period, through 2007 and 2008.

Mens Hockey 1st Team

2010

2010 Neston Mens Hockey win promotion into the North Division 2, under the Captaincy of Paul Shepherd. The first promotion since 1991.
Neston Tennis win their 11th Wirral Division 1 title, the first for 17 years.

Ladies Hockey 1st Team

2011

2011 Neston Ladies Hockey win Cheshire Division 2 and gain promotion, under the Captaincy of Lisa Morris.
Neston Squash win North West Div 3 and gain promotion to Division 2, the highest league they have played in.