Cricket in Great Linford
Cricket may have its origins in Saxon or Norman times, though it would have been unrecognisable to modern players. Village cricket was developed in the middle of the 17th century and by the 18th century the sport was becoming firmly established in London and the Southeast. Rules were first codified in 1744 and by the time of a subsequent amendment in 1774, the game was becoming more recognisable.
A brief account in the Northampton Mercury from June 17th of 1786 reports on a nine-a-side Cricket match played at Hanslope by a “Society of Youth” team against a visiting team from “The Newport Pagnell Society.” This certainly confirms that cricket was then being played in the vicinity of Great Linford, so it seems reasonable to presume that the game must also have reached the village at roughly the same time, if not on an organised basis, then at least informally and perhaps as a children’s pastime.
However, we must wait until 1852 before we have any direct evidence of a match played between competing teams in the village. This is to be found in Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle, dated June 27th. This seems an odd place to find a report of an obscure match held in Buckinghamshire, but it tells us that Great Linford played against a visiting team from Bradwell and won as follows: Bradwell 25 and 12 – total 37; Great Linford first innings 47.
An account of a match against Calverton (sadly Great Linford lost) in the Bucks Chronicle and Bucks Gazette newspaper of August 14th the same year gives us for the first time a brief flavour of a match, so is worth reproducing here in full.
CRICKET. - CALVERTON v. GREAT LINFORD. - The first game between these clubs came off on Thursday week, on the Great Linford cricket-ground. The batting of Messrs. J. Brooks, Tomkins, and B. Dunkley on the Calverton side, was much admired, and often caused loud bursts of applause. The Calverton players proved victorious, beating their opponents by 71 runs.
The article mentions the existence of a “cricket-ground” in the village, but where was it? The present village cricket field situated off the High Street on former farmland was added by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation when the modern Great Linford estate was constructed, but residents recall that prior to this matches were played on the green, then before that (circa 1950s) on land toward the rear of the school and number 10 on the High Street.
Undated view of Great Linford, possibly circa 1970. The large field to the bottom left was used as the village cricket pitch.
Going further back in time, a match played in October 1890 is reported to have occurred on “the common”, so perhaps this served as the village “cricket-ground”, though the location of the common itself is not readily apparent. An account in the Wolverton Express newspaper of a club dinner held in 1925 at the Wharf Inn makes reference to the use of a field owned by a Mr Patterson for matches, so perhaps the village “cricket-ground” at this time was essentially wherever a suitable piece of flat ground could be procured on short notice? We might also presume that Mr Patterson’s field was close to the Wharf Inn, as this pub seems to have maintained a cordial relationship with the team, and thirsty cricketers would presumably not want too far to walk.
Returning to the brief article of 1852, it is interesting that it uses the phrase “the first game between these clubs”, suggesting that we are reading about the very early days of competitive cricket in the locality. If indeed Great Linford had an organised cricket club in 1852, then it must have been one of the pioneers; a cricket club was only established at nearby Wolverton in 1861. But clearly there was a growing local interest in the game, as evidenced by an advertisement carried by Croydon’s Weekly Standard of Saturday January 6th, 1866, which proclaimed that the Newport Pagnell proprietor of the paper had a side-line in bats, balls, stumps, leg guards and gloves.
Croydon's Weekly Standard of Saturday October 10th, 1868 mentions the existence of a “Great Linford Cricket Club”, with an edition later in the year publishing a notice that expresses, “thanks for the patronage they have experienced during the season, and for the subscriptions received in aid of the expenses incurred.” There was also a charity concert held in 1884 in aid of the club’s finances. It seems that cricket was becoming serious business for the players of Great Linford.
Returning to the brief article of 1852, it is interesting that it uses the phrase “the first game between these clubs”, suggesting that we are reading about the very early days of competitive cricket in the locality. If indeed Great Linford had an organised cricket club in 1852, then it must have been one of the pioneers; a cricket club was only established at nearby Wolverton in 1861. But clearly there was a growing local interest in the game, as evidenced by an advertisement carried by Croydon’s Weekly Standard of Saturday January 6th, 1866, which proclaimed that the Newport Pagnell proprietor of the paper had a side-line in bats, balls, stumps, leg guards and gloves.
Croydon's Weekly Standard of Saturday October 10th, 1868 mentions the existence of a “Great Linford Cricket Club”, with an edition later in the year publishing a notice that expresses, “thanks for the patronage they have experienced during the season, and for the subscriptions received in aid of the expenses incurred.” There was also a charity concert held in 1884 in aid of the club’s finances. It seems that cricket was becoming serious business for the players of Great Linford.
Cricket for all
A match report published in Croydon's Weekly Standard of July 23rd, 1859, gives us the names of the Great Linford team members at that time, and from this we can cross-reference to the 1861 census to get a sense of who the players were. Henry Bird was for instance a member of a significant family in the village, well-to-do builders whose wealth is clear from their many gravestones that dot St. Andrew’s churchyard. However, and perhaps of some surprise, the make-up of the team appears markedly egalitarian. Carpenters rub shoulders with farmers and engine fitters; indeed, many of the players are clearly workers at the nearby Wolverton Railway works.
Cricket had in fact long been quite inclusive, though historically this had little to do with any sense of equality, but more to do with the fat purses wagered by the aristocratic patrons of the game from the 1700s onwards; it was very much to their advantage to ensure the team had the best players, regardless of where the men stood in the social pecking order. However, this no longer may have been the case in the 1800s, so we might conclude that things genuinely had become more inclusive.
The team members are believed to be as follows:
Cricket had in fact long been quite inclusive, though historically this had little to do with any sense of equality, but more to do with the fat purses wagered by the aristocratic patrons of the game from the 1700s onwards; it was very much to their advantage to ensure the team had the best players, regardless of where the men stood in the social pecking order. However, this no longer may have been the case in the 1800s, so we might conclude that things genuinely had become more inclusive.
The team members are believed to be as follows:
| Name | Occupation | Place of employment |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Rudkins | Railway labourer | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
| Alfred Martyr | Engine fitter | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
| Henry Martyr | Labourer carpenter | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
| Frederick Kemp | Engine fitter | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
| Henry Kemp | Plumber | |
| J Kemp | Butcher | |
| Henry Bird | Carpenter | |
| J Gibbons | Unknown | |
| Shaddick Clode | Farmer's son | |
| John Linnell | Engine fitter | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
An 1891 team roster, again derived from a match report is every bit the same, a representative cross-section of village society, from the very highest, Gerard Uthwatt, brother of the Lord of the Manor, down to a general labourer.
The team members are believed to be as follows:
| Name | Occupation | Place of employment |
|---|---|---|
| Gerard Uthwatt | Brother of Lord of the Manor | |
| Albert Riley | Lamp maker | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
| Charles Draper | Publican | Wharf Inn |
| T Kemp | ||
| William Cheywynd | School master | School in Almshouses block |
| Edwin Sapwell | Farmer | |
| Hugh Mapley, | Lamp maker | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
| Reginald Mapley | General labourer | |
| Frank Fennimore, | Finisher (wood) | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
| Albert Ellis | Bodymaking apprentice | Likely Wolverton Railway Works |
It is worth noting that Gerard Uthwatt was the captain of the team at around this time. A mention is made in Croydon’s Weekly Standard that he entertained a supper for the team at the Wharf Inn on the evening of October 7th, 1890, at which a toast was given in his honour and the evening concluded with the singing of God save the Queen and Auld Lang Syne. One might wonder if the relatively open membership of the club would have extended to the possibility of one of the Wolverton Railway Works employees ascending to the lofty position of captain.
Gerard was not the only Uthwatt to Captain a cricket team. A report in the Buckingham Express of April 1st, 1893, makes mention of a team at Maids Morton to be captained by Mr Uthwatt of Great Linford. We might suppose this to be William Francis Edolph Andrewes Uthwatt.
It is worth noting that Gerard Uthwatt was the captain of the team at around this time. A mention is made in Croydon’s Weekly Standard that he entertained a supper for the team at the Wharf Inn on the evening of October 7th, 1890, at which a toast was given in his honour and the evening concluded with the singing of God save the Queen and Auld Lang Syne. One might wonder if the relatively open membership of the club would have extended to the possibility of one of the Wolverton Railway Works employees ascending to the lofty position of captain.
Gerard was not the only Uthwatt to Captain a cricket team. A report in the Buckingham Express of April 1st, 1893, makes mention of a team at Maids Morton to be captained by Mr Uthwatt of Great Linford. We might suppose this to be William Francis Edolph Andrewes Uthwatt.
Some notable cricket matches
On September 25th, 1886, a cricket match was played in the village by the married men against the single men of the trimming shop of Wolverton Railway Works. The married team won by 18 runs, and both teams then retired to the Wharf Inn for the evening.
This was not by any means the oddest match played in the village. As recounted by the Northampton Mercury, a decidedly unusual event took place on Saturday September 27th, 1890, when a “comic cricket match” was played in the village. The teams were composed of coach makers from “Mr Brown’s shop”, so we can infer these were employees of Wolverton railway works, though some may well have lived in Great Linford. The teams arrived by train at 3pm, and from the station went directly to the Wharf Inn to change into their costumes. Sadly, we get no descriptions, other than to say that some were, “very peculiar”, but the story does tell us that they had their photograph taken in a neighbouring field to the Wharf Inn by the village’s resident photographer Harry Bartholomew, before matching through the village headed by several members of Wolverton’s brass band.
The team captains were nick-named “Cetewayo”, a reference presumably to the Zulu king, and “Mikado” from one of Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas. The naming of the captains may well give some clue as to the costumes; these being less enlightened times, it is entirely possible that there were some unfortunate caricatures amongst the players, including one cannot help but suspect, black face. If only the photograph could be found.
The story goes on to tell that the match was played on the common, and that Cetewayo’s team were victorious by 3 runs. The band entertained throughout, and there was dancing by the younger spectators. At the conclusion of the match, the entire party then marched down to the village to the manor house, where Mr Uthwatt provided refreshments for the band. The band then played various selections on the lawn. At the close of the day’s entertainments, the party then transferred back to the Wharf Inn, where a cold spread was put on for 41 people.
Occasionally an impressive score was achieved that warranted a report in the newspapers, and this was just the case in June of 1925 when the Bucks Herald celebrated “Captain Bowyer’s Century” in their edition of the 6th. Sadly the Captain’s impressive performance of 110 not out was accumulated on behalf of a team for Weston Underwood, which Great Linford had been visiting. The captain was George Edward Wentworth Bowyer, member of parliament for Buckingham. Though news of his achievement was carried by a number of newspapers, the final score was not divulged. It is intriguing to wonder how the invitation to visit Weston Underwood came about?
This was not by any means the oddest match played in the village. As recounted by the Northampton Mercury, a decidedly unusual event took place on Saturday September 27th, 1890, when a “comic cricket match” was played in the village. The teams were composed of coach makers from “Mr Brown’s shop”, so we can infer these were employees of Wolverton railway works, though some may well have lived in Great Linford. The teams arrived by train at 3pm, and from the station went directly to the Wharf Inn to change into their costumes. Sadly, we get no descriptions, other than to say that some were, “very peculiar”, but the story does tell us that they had their photograph taken in a neighbouring field to the Wharf Inn by the village’s resident photographer Harry Bartholomew, before matching through the village headed by several members of Wolverton’s brass band.
The team captains were nick-named “Cetewayo”, a reference presumably to the Zulu king, and “Mikado” from one of Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas. The naming of the captains may well give some clue as to the costumes; these being less enlightened times, it is entirely possible that there were some unfortunate caricatures amongst the players, including one cannot help but suspect, black face. If only the photograph could be found.
The story goes on to tell that the match was played on the common, and that Cetewayo’s team were victorious by 3 runs. The band entertained throughout, and there was dancing by the younger spectators. At the conclusion of the match, the entire party then marched down to the village to the manor house, where Mr Uthwatt provided refreshments for the band. The band then played various selections on the lawn. At the close of the day’s entertainments, the party then transferred back to the Wharf Inn, where a cold spread was put on for 41 people.
Occasionally an impressive score was achieved that warranted a report in the newspapers, and this was just the case in June of 1925 when the Bucks Herald celebrated “Captain Bowyer’s Century” in their edition of the 6th. Sadly the Captain’s impressive performance of 110 not out was accumulated on behalf of a team for Weston Underwood, which Great Linford had been visiting. The captain was George Edward Wentworth Bowyer, member of parliament for Buckingham. Though news of his achievement was carried by a number of newspapers, the final score was not divulged. It is intriguing to wonder how the invitation to visit Weston Underwood came about?
The North Bucks and District Cricket League
Matches in the 1800s appeared to have been arranged as friendlies, until that is 1901, when the North Bucks and District Cricket League was founded. Great Linford was to be counted amongst the inaugural members. Clubs within a nine-mile radius of Stantonbury were invited to apply, and along with Great Linford, the following teams were registered as members: Newport Parish Church, Stantonbury, Wolverton Wesleyans, Olney, Drayton Parslow, Old Bradwell and Filgrave. Newport Parish Church won the league that year, but Great Linford were becoming a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced by their impressive statistics in 1904; they won 13 of their 14 games played and topped the league table.
The win was celebrated with a supper at The Nags Head on the evening of Saturday September 24th, presided over by W. B. Shakeshaft, who conferred medals upon the team. The following year, and as reported in Croydon’s Weekly News of September 16th, a “handsome silver cup” was acquired by the league, though Great Linford were beaten then into the runners up position, with the cup going instead to Olney.
For reasons unknown, it seems that 1906 was a sad year for the club, as organised Cricket in the village apparently ceased, even though the league seemed to be going from strength to strength, with the inauguration in 1907 of a junior league. It wasn’t until 1912 that Great Linford fielded a team again in the senior League, but it was a triumphant return, as they romped to victory, gaining 12 points out of a total of 14, placing them ahead of runners up Hanslope. The same day that the winner’s cup was presented, Great Linford hosted a match against the rest of the league and won resoundingly.
The win was celebrated with a supper at The Nags Head on the evening of Saturday September 24th, presided over by W. B. Shakeshaft, who conferred medals upon the team. The following year, and as reported in Croydon’s Weekly News of September 16th, a “handsome silver cup” was acquired by the league, though Great Linford were beaten then into the runners up position, with the cup going instead to Olney.
For reasons unknown, it seems that 1906 was a sad year for the club, as organised Cricket in the village apparently ceased, even though the league seemed to be going from strength to strength, with the inauguration in 1907 of a junior league. It wasn’t until 1912 that Great Linford fielded a team again in the senior League, but it was a triumphant return, as they romped to victory, gaining 12 points out of a total of 14, placing them ahead of runners up Hanslope. The same day that the winner’s cup was presented, Great Linford hosted a match against the rest of the league and won resoundingly.
War stops play
Not unsurprisingly, there is a calamitous decline in the number of cricket related stories in local newspapers during the First World War; virtually nothing is published, suggesting that the game of Cricket was effectively shuttered for the duration of the war. A similar situation seems to have befallen the game in the second world war, again evidenced by the paucity of reporting in local newspapers.
Cricket suppers
There seems to have been a tradition of an annual supper held at the end of the season; an early example was one held on October 17th, 1874, at the Wharf Inn. The Wharf Inn seems to have been a focal point of Cricket in the village, though the Nags Head also served as a venue, which on several occasions prompted an application from the landlord to request an extension to his hours. One such application made in December of 1890 by Mr Claridge of the Nags Head was refused on the basis that the bench considered 10 O’clock quite late enough, and the police had also remarked that on a previous occasion, there had been complaints from the villagers. A more lenient bench or fewer complaints meant that a successful application was made in September of 1904.
An annual supper for the Cricket club was held on Saturday the 3rd of October 1925 (reported in the Northampton Mercury of Friday 09 October 1925) with about 30 persons attending at the Wharf Inn, which was described as the club headquarters. The runners up cup for the North Bucks and District League was officially handed over (Old Bradwell having won the league), and the club president Charles Walter Mead (who was then renting the manor house) presented it to the team captain, R. Spriggs. This would likely be Rowland Spriggs, who was in his mid-30s in 1925, and a “rough painter” at Wolverton Railway works. You will recall some earlier speculation about the likelihood of a working-class person assuming the captainship of the team; here then is proof positive that you did not have to be the Lord of the Manor’s brother to reach the pinnacle of achievement in village cricket.
Of passing interest, reference was made to the fact that the team had relied entirely upon the village talent for their success, having forgone the dispensation allowed by the rules to draft in players from a 3-mile radius, an advantage the reporter dryly notes that had not gone underutilised by other teams. The story reports on speeches made, including one by R. Kemp, who remarked that while the club boasted good bowlers, they had been let down by the batting. He also remarked that the home of the winner’s cup had “practically been at Linford” for many seasons.
An annual supper for the Cricket club was held on Saturday the 3rd of October 1925 (reported in the Northampton Mercury of Friday 09 October 1925) with about 30 persons attending at the Wharf Inn, which was described as the club headquarters. The runners up cup for the North Bucks and District League was officially handed over (Old Bradwell having won the league), and the club president Charles Walter Mead (who was then renting the manor house) presented it to the team captain, R. Spriggs. This would likely be Rowland Spriggs, who was in his mid-30s in 1925, and a “rough painter” at Wolverton Railway works. You will recall some earlier speculation about the likelihood of a working-class person assuming the captainship of the team; here then is proof positive that you did not have to be the Lord of the Manor’s brother to reach the pinnacle of achievement in village cricket.
Of passing interest, reference was made to the fact that the team had relied entirely upon the village talent for their success, having forgone the dispensation allowed by the rules to draft in players from a 3-mile radius, an advantage the reporter dryly notes that had not gone underutilised by other teams. The story reports on speeches made, including one by R. Kemp, who remarked that while the club boasted good bowlers, they had been let down by the batting. He also remarked that the home of the winner’s cup had “practically been at Linford” for many seasons.
A struggling league
The North Bucks and District Cricket league seems to have a somewhat chequered history; there was no matches played in 1930 due to a lack of interested teams and in 1932 it struggled to field more than 4; Stony Stratford, New Bradwell, North Crawley and in a rather random sounding addition, Salmon’s and Sons of Newport Pagnell. So despite the success of Great Linford in prior years, they had failed to offer a team. Milton Keynes village lifted the cup at the end of the 1933 season, but there then followed a long fallow period, and it was not until 1959 that the Wolverton Express was able to report that the league was to be revived after an absence of 25 years, with six teams represented: Wicken, Deanshanger, Old Stratford, Old Bradwell, Milton Keynes and Great Linford. Clubs seemed to come and go year by year, hence in 1960, Great Linford once again participated in the league, but Milton Keynes dropped out, whilst Rhode and Paulesrpury joined. It was however to be a bad year for Great Linford, having finished the year with only 1 win out of 9 games played.
Sadly, this seems to have signalled the end of Great Linford’s participation, as in June of 1961, it was observed in the Wolverton Express that the team had been expelled from the North Bucks and District League. No explanation was given, and a search of earlier newspaper editions has uncovered no explanation for Great Linford’s expulsion.
Mentions of the North Bucks league in the local press are few and far between after 1961; indeed the last newspaper story that can be discovered was published in May of 1962. At this time the league was down to 5 teams and clearly struggling to attract other participants. The vice-chair made a plea for other clubs to join, otherwise there was no guarantee the league could continue. That no further mention is made of the league thereafter would seem to provide certain proof that his prediction was proven sadly accurate.
Sadly, this seems to have signalled the end of Great Linford’s participation, as in June of 1961, it was observed in the Wolverton Express that the team had been expelled from the North Bucks and District League. No explanation was given, and a search of earlier newspaper editions has uncovered no explanation for Great Linford’s expulsion.
Mentions of the North Bucks league in the local press are few and far between after 1961; indeed the last newspaper story that can be discovered was published in May of 1962. At this time the league was down to 5 teams and clearly struggling to attract other participants. The vice-chair made a plea for other clubs to join, otherwise there was no guarantee the league could continue. That no further mention is made of the league thereafter would seem to provide certain proof that his prediction was proven sadly accurate.
Cricket further afield
The North Bucks league was not however the only game in town. During the extended hiatus of the North Bucks league between 1933 and 1959 there were other opportunities for cricketers from Great Linford to play, as in August of 1957, the Bucks Standard newspaper reported on an away game to Chichley. The performance was “credible”, but Great Linford were unable to achieve a win. The following August found the team at Emberton, where despite a poor start, Great Linford pulled ahead for the win. Neither match appeared to have been played under the auspices of any organised league, but rather were arranged as friendlies.
Of further note, we find references to a player from Great Linford representing at county level. The Buckinghamshire Youth Team travelled to Aldershot in June of 1962 to play Hampshire, with John Field of Great Linford on the team. In September that same year, plaudits were given to a “Field” (presumably the same John Field previously mentioned) who acquitted himself well in a match against Hertfordshire, taking two wickets for six runs.
One final match of note has been discovered, which took place in the village in July of 1969. This was a friendly against a combined team from Willen, Woolstone and Woughton. The Linford team was captained by Francis Lever, who farmed at Windmill Hill Farm on the High Street. The match was clearly played on the field overlooked by the Wharf Inn.
Of further note, we find references to a player from Great Linford representing at county level. The Buckinghamshire Youth Team travelled to Aldershot in June of 1962 to play Hampshire, with John Field of Great Linford on the team. In September that same year, plaudits were given to a “Field” (presumably the same John Field previously mentioned) who acquitted himself well in a match against Hertfordshire, taking two wickets for six runs.
One final match of note has been discovered, which took place in the village in July of 1969. This was a friendly against a combined team from Willen, Woolstone and Woughton. The Linford team was captained by Francis Lever, who farmed at Windmill Hill Farm on the High Street. The match was clearly played on the field overlooked by the Wharf Inn.
Pete Wilson centre front between Roger Tebbut and “Slogger” Lyman.
Cricket in the village today
At present the village does not have a cricket club of its own, though games continue to be played by visiting teams on the pitch just off the High Street.
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