THE EARLY YEARS

The early years saw a large expansion in organized sporting activities. With the industrial revolution and especially with the introduction of Saturday half day working, came an increase in leisure activities as workmen sought ways to occupy their free time. Many of the sports  we take for granted these days began  or expanded in this period. Sports clubs were formed , many of them  were formed, many of them based around local churches and  Sunday Schools.

Cricket  was part of this  expansion. The game flourished in the Warrington area and Grappenhall    was formed in 1881. it was a case of eleven men arranging  a match  against another local team and the first recorded match involving a team called Grappenhall took place on the 4th of September 1878 when Wycliffe Sunday School beat Grappenhall at Grappenhall by 49 runs to 21. The match was not played on the Broad Lane ground which did not open until 1892 . Earlier matches were played in Bellhouse Lane and then in Cross Lane. When the Cross Lane ground had to be closed to make way for the Manchester Ship Canal, the turf was bought to Broad Lane. The first match was at St Elphins on 21st May and it ended in defeat. The following week saw a drawn match against  Camden Victoria the scores being Grappenhall 54 all out, Camden Victoria 17-1. Presumably rain interfered at that point although  The Guardian does not say so. the return on June 4th was won with Grappenhall replying to Camden 38 all out with a score 62 for 4

1970 to 1990s was one of the most consistent and successful in the clubs existence, winning numerous League and Cup competitions at all levels. Grappenhall was widely recognised as having the best one-day (knockout) team in the county, an accord attributed to Lancashire in that period and Australia in the 1st class game today.

Our  " Top " players who moved on to higher levels, but were nevertheless a major part of our success during this period were: