History of the South Croydon Cricket Club

A BRIEF HISTORY

At the end of the 1952 football season, Keith Cook, then Captain/Coach of the
Croydon Football Club, invited the football team to a barbecue and a few beers.
By the end of the night it was evident that many of the footballers were going on to play cricket,
as did most in those days. The thought evolved to all play together - this was the beginning
of Croydon Footballers Cricket Club (later to become South Croydon Cricket Club in 1972).

Cheong Park, a piece of land donated to the then Shire by the Cheong family, evolved as
the site for the new club and hours of hard manual labour were required to clear
enough of the park for a cricket ground. Ti -Trees and blackberries were removed
nd holes caused by the resident Croydon Pony Club were filled in and a grader used
to finish the formation of the ground.

On Sunday 13 September, 1953, the first concrete pitch was laid by volunteers who
mixed the concrete by hand, with the pitch being laid on a foundation of broken
beer bottles. No doubt this exhausting manual labour had an effect on one's thirst
and perhaps re-cycling was also founded at this time! The ground had a fair slope
towards Bayswater Road and a large gum tree was located in the south east corner.
The local rule was that you were out if caught off the tree.

In these early years, conditions could be classed as basic, however it is evident a
strong camaraderie existed. Afternoon teas were made on a gas stove in a tent and
were served from the back of a Ute; there was no pavilion or rooms in those days.
Six o'clock hotel closing and no television meant that the members made their own
entertainment, usually at the home of one of the players.

Early committee meetings were held in a room in the back of a laundry in Windsor Road
and the gear and matting were stored at Keith Cook's milk bar in Mount Dandenong Road.
Water for the afternoon teas came from a house adjoining the ground and the toilets were
the "drop hole" builders toilets of the time. One day, after particularly heavy rain they
flooded, with Bayswater Road the recipient of some unexpected material.

After the first few years, the club was fortunate in obtaining the old Croydon RSL Hall
which was relocated to Cheong Park, in the north eastern corner of the ground on
Bayswater Road. This was a two storey pavilion which served for many years until
replaced by the current rooms on the western side of the ground in April 1980.

Premiership success in the 1950's and 60's was rare, however the club played in several
finals series and they continued to prosper and expand.

The pavilion was described as "the social centre of South Croydon - a region being
quickly developed" (A History of Croydon - Muriel McGivern).

Junior teams were established with the first team in D Grade as it was known then.

The club became an important entity within the local community.

1950's, 1960's & 1970's -----> NEXT

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South Croydon Premierships

Premiership Photos

2006/2007	Masters 2
2005/2006	Masters 3
2005/2006	Wilkins Cup
2002/2003	C Grade
2001/2002	Wilkins Cup
1993/1994	Under 12-3
1991/1992	Under 12-3
1988/1989	Wilkins Cup
1987/1988	Under 16-1
1985/1986	Under 14-2
1984/1985	Under 12-3
1984/1985	Under 14-3
1983/1984	A3 Grade
1981/1982	Wilkins Cup
1975/1976	Under 16-2
1974/1975	Under 14-2
1958/1959	Wilkins Cup

RDCA Best and Fairest

1996/1997	Steve Pascoe Medal	M Dench
1995/1996	Steve Pascoe Medal	D Harris
1977/1978	Steve Pascoe Medal	S Payne