The Old Dovorian Cricket Club
The Old Dovorian Cricket over the last 130 Years.
The playing of Old Dovorian cricket can be traced back to the 1880’s, when Old Dovorians used to put up cricket teams to play against Dover College 1st XI and more recently a Dover College team, which continued until 2019. However It must be mentioned that in between the World Wars a annual organised cricket tour to Sussex was a regular occurrence, unfortunately after the Second World War it was found to be difficult to arrange a revival of the three Old Dovorian traditional sports clubs, with the cricket and rugby clubs in particularly struggled the most during this period, both being ultimately integrated into the OD Club, whilst the Hockey Club continued as an independent club into the 1960’s.
It was at this time that a close relationship was being established with Folkestone CC with the help of the OD Hockey Club, where some players would play their cricket for both Folkstone CC and OD Cricket teams when matches and dates allowed, a trend that continues to this day.
This mutual relationship between Folkestone CC and the Club enables members, players, and their families to enjoy each other’s company and share in the mutual love of this glorious game of cricket.
In the 1970’s an “OD Cricket Week” was established by a number of cricket loving Old Dovorians, that saw OD Club Cricket teams play matches against a number wandering sides like, The Forty Club, Incognito Cricket Club, Band of Brothers as well as The Old Lawrentian Cricket Club, amongst others teams. These matches were all played as “all day games”, starting at 12 noon, played at Maxton cricket ground, situated on the Folkestone Road in Dover.
Also at this time the “square”, at Maxton was of such a high standard that Kent CCC came down to look at the ground as an alternative to the Crabble Court Ground which is also situated in Dover.
It was not until the late 1980’s to early 1990’s that Old Dovorian Cricket teams played in “The National Public and Independent Schools Cricket Association Competition”, playing in the regional Kent group against Cranbrook and Orpington.
However, In recent years their have been matches played between the Old Dovorian Club Presidents XI and Chairman’s XI. More recently, games have been played against Eastry CC. Once again these matches have been played at Maxton Cricket Ground, with a BBQ or “Street Food” laid on to provide food and refreshments all day for visitors, guests and players, making it a fun family day out.
Today the Club are now looking to the future, and with Derek Aslett, a former Kent professional cricketer from 1981 – 1987, who has had a long connection with Dover College Cricket, both when playing against the school for Dover Grammar School, or for the “Commoners” has very kindly agreed to become the Cricket Clubs first patron since its recent revival.
The Cricket Club has now re-established its self as an Independent group within the Old Dovorian Club community, whilst strengthen its links with Folkestone Cricket Club, as well as other local cricket clubs in Kent.
The aim of the Old Dovorian Cricket Club is to offer a welcoming and friendly environment, to enable both players (Ladies and Gentlemen) along with the Cricket Clubs social membership to enjoy watching and playing cricket of a reasonable standard, whilst set within pleasant surroundings and good company, or whilst watching a “County Championship” or “One Day” match at Canterbury or at the famous Lords cricket ground in St Johns Wood in London.
All Old Dovorians, their family, and friends, past and present members of staff , together with current parents and pupils at Dover College are most welcome get involved with the Cricket Club
To find out more about the Old Dovorian Cricket Club and how you might become involved, then use the link button below, to take you directly to the Old Dovorian Cricket Club website.
TO STAY CONECTD
Subscribe to receive the latest news and information with regards to events and news from the Old Dovorian Club, as well as to receive your electronic version of the Dovorian News. By using this secure link button opposite to register your details.