History of Club - Caught in Time

A celebration of Cricket in Barrow-upon-Soar - By Mick Bailey

This opening article will develop into a series of short stories that will encompass Cricket in the village from its earliest recorded dates.Previous articles on village cricket history were first published in the local newspapers in 1934 followed by two short updates one in 1979 and the last for the Village Millennium book ‘Barrow in the 20th century’ in 1999. I had the privilege to research and write the last two updates and hopefully the web site will provide an interactive medium for all contributions in the future.

Our journey will start in the middle of the 18th century when the game was first recorded in the village. Unfortunately there was little chronicled until the latter quarter of the 19th century where Barrow Victoria was the village team, reaching the so called ‘Golden Age’ of three separate village teams playing regularly. Junior Cricket the lifeblood of every club was first recorded in the late 1800’s alongside many senior inter-village single wicket competitions and bank holiday fixtures that had been played annually for many years previously.

Barrow Victoria became Barrow South End in the latter years of the century and was instrumental in forming the North Leicestershire Cricket League (NLCL) in 1895. League Cricket became in vogue. Barrow South End and later Barrow Adult School joined the fledgling league with some success. By the end of the first decade of the 20th century only Barrow South End played league cricket and after the first world war Barrow Town (BTCC) was formed from the old South End members and has continued ever since.

Three lean decades followed and with no permanent ground, league participation was fragmented before in the early 1950’s both a decent squad of players and a much improved new facility began the rebuilding process that eventually saw a new wooden pavilion purchased. Disaster struck when fire destroyed this fine building in 1968 losing considerable playing and ground equipment plus historical memorabilia.

The sterling work the club’s officials and members had started some years previously was increased and within twelve months for the first time in the cricket history of the village, the club purchased land on Nottingham Road and work commenced immediately to provide basic facilities and playing conditions that came into force in May 1970.

Over this decade there was considerable success on ground improvements and with a new generation of young local players achieved a record breaking treble in 1978 being Champions of the Division 1 & 5 plus league Cup victory beating the previous class of 1908 league double of that momentous year as Barrow South End.

Leaving the NLCL in the early 1980’s the club finally joined the Leicestershire County League. The 80’s and 90’s continued with progressive improvements to the ground and positive results on the field with another record, a quadruple (two league championships and two cup winners) then another treble, including a buoyant junior programme which augured well for the new millennium.. The Loughborough Charity Cup, local evening league and cup success were very evident, only recently recording three consecutive knock out cup championships (2006-8).

Obtaining accreditation as a focussed ECB club and Clubmark came in the early years of the 21st century coupled with a long term strategy of development and continuous improvements both on and off the field with key emphasis on the all important junior process.

Success and Failure have come in equal measures and part of the forthcoming ‘Caught in Time’ articles starting next month will through the summer focus on some of these past times that with your help will hopefully enrich the considerable material assembled.

The first article will briefly set the scene from the very early days until the middle of the 19th century, so if anyone as any memorabilia or comments however small from this period please contact me on my mobile phone number (07944) 967670 and I will try to include it the June article.

A ‘milestones’ chapter will eventually follow as we build and recall the fine achievements of past generations whether player, official or supporter in acknowledging the many league championships and cup winners, but above all the rich heritage that is cricket in Barrow-upon-Soar.

The Club celebrates its 90th birthday this year and 40 years ago on its 50th anniversary bought just over seven acres of land that during this time as become one of the leading grounds in the County and witnessed by far the most successful period in the villages’ cricket history on the field.

You only have to look at the tremendous ongoing ground force work and facilities improvements made over the past 12 months to understand the club’s commitment to maintain and continuously improve in all aspects as befitting its Premier league status.

Enjoy the season

Mick Bailey

May 2009

In this section our club historian Mick Bailey looks at the history of Barrow Town Cricket Club. The club is 90 years old in 2010 and before then we hope to have articles and material that traces the origins of the club. We hope you enjoy this look back to days gone by. In the meantime please take a look at the photos below of recent success enjoyed by the club. The pictures show sides that won the Joe Orton Cup in 2006 and 2007. Also shown is the 2ndXI which won the League and the Cup in 2005.