History of the South Croydon Cricket Club

1980's, 1990's & 2000's

1980's

• In 1980/81, the club formed its first Fourth Eleven team.
• In 1985/86, the club formed its first Fifth Eleven team.
In 1980 the current pavilion was opened, with the old structure on the Bayswater Road side being demolished. The cricket club used the player’s change rooms as "home" and in 1990 an extension was added to the northern end of the building with the cost being shared by the cricket and football clubs and local Council.
The mid 1980's saw the Secretary of the club, Ross Kennedy, give great encouragement to the girlfriends and partners of the players in establishing a Ladies team - a first for the Club after over 30 years. The first year was full of fun and participation but the team was soundly beaten in every game. However due to the determination of the Ladies and the encouragement of their coach, Ian McCallum, success came quickly, with 2 premierships in the late 1980's. The team disbanded in the early 1990's as the players moved on to start families etc.

The 1980's was a decade of success with 9 premierships, including two for the First Eleven that earned promotion to Chandler Shield. The Junior teams thrived in a young and growing area with 6 junior teams playing each week. Some of those juniors still play with the club today. At Committee level, a long period of stability commenced with Neil Tull as President (1983/84 – 1996/97) and Ross Kennedy as Secretary (1981/82 -2003/04).
In 1987/88 the ground was again reconstructed and the club played one season at Dorset Recreation Reserve. Junior premierships were enjoyed in the 80s and the club continued its growth as the local area developed further with an influx of local families

1990s

The early 1990's saw continued success at junior level and the establishment of a Veteran's (over 40) team. The First Eleven were runners up twice, however, lower grade premierships proved elusive even though finals appearances occurred. By 1996 the club faced a somewhat uncertain future, as, for the first time in many years, there were no junior teams. A change in local demographics meant a shortage of potential players and only a concerted effort by the club and the introduction of junior "Have a Go" Clinics have resulted in today's position of 7 Junior teams including U/10s and a strong junior development clinic.
In the late 1990's, the club established the "Bulldog" logo and name just as the South Croydon Football Club is known. This was a continuation of a move toward forging closer links between the two clubs and making Cheong Park truly the "home of the bulldog".

2000's

The new millennium provided immediate success with the First Eleven winning the "Wilkins Cup" premiership in 2001/02, the Second Eleven finishing third, the One Day team were runners up and the Under 16 team were finalists in their first year. After an absence of one season the Veterans team was reformed due to the efforts of Russell Long.
At the end of season 2002/03, the club had some success with C grade and the club’s one day grade (made up of many of the South Croydon football club players) won premierships. Unfortunately, our First Eleven was relegated back into the Wilkins Cup but, after some strong recruiting in season 2005/06, the club was once again tasting premiership success by winning the Wilkins Cup in that year.
We have remained in the Chandler Shield competition ever since. Similarly, in season 2005/06 and 2006/07, our veterans side won back to back premierships and are currently playing at the highest local level of veterans cricket.
Our club has had its fair share of controversy - John Payne being ruled ineligible after a grand final win, and the intervention of an RDCA representative in calling the grand final off when our Under 16 team had all but won the game in 1986/87 are examples. On the other hand, we have provided many Association Best & Fairest, Average winners and RDCA team representatives over many years, as well as RDCA Executive Members.

The future of the club is promising with increasing junior numbers being the key to longevity. Our facilities and amenities are very good and we have a robust and close knit membership. However, it is up to all of us to ensure that the great South Croydon Cricket Club continues to prosper and provide a valuable community service.

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South Croydon Premierships

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2009/2010	L Grade
2006/2007	Masters 2
2005/2006	Masters 3
2005/2006	Wilkins Cup
2002/2003	C Grade
2002/2003	One Day
2001/2002	Wilkins Cup
1993/1994	Under 12-3
1991/1992	Under 12-3
1989/1990	Womens B
1988/1989	Wilkins Cup
1987/1988	Womens C
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
1963/1964	D Grade
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