South Yorkshire Times, March 21st, 1970
Cricket, Lovely Cricket!
As Conisbro’ Knock Up A Century…. They Think!
Conisbrough Cricket Club have knocked up a remarkable century, and they mean to celebrate it with a feast of cricket in the coming season. The club was formed in 1870, exactly 100 years ago – or so it is thought. Officials are not absolutely sure. A newspaper picture published in 1951 stated that the club was in its 81st year, and in the absence of records to establish proof, the club have taken it from there
Bumper Season
A bumper season lies ahead for cricket fans with the revival of popular six-a-side and single-wicket tournaments and numerous festivities to brighten the summer session.
And the man who will set the ball rolling is Yorkshire and England batsman John Hampshire, the chief speaker at the club’s dinner and dance next month. It should be a night to remember for club members, and old friends who are returning to Conisbrough from all over England to take part in the celebrations.
Memories
Memories are sure to be revived, and no doubt all will remember the two county players who once took up bat and ball at Conisbrough.
Yorkshire and England spin bowler Ellis Robinson, a Denaby man, began his cricketing career with Conisbrough (as a wicket keeper!) and fast bowler Francis Appleyard went on to Essex after pounding the Pygotts field turf. Conisbrough now field four teams in Doncaster District and Mexborough and District Leagues playing on the Park Road field which they bought in 1948.
The club do not charge gates, but they are financially sound – though it wasn’t always like that. In the war years it was the Hepworth and Thompson families who kept the club alive, and since then it has taken hard work on the official side and good support on the spectator side to keep the club in its present position.
The centenary celebrations began at the Phoenix Rooms, Rotherham, on April 3rd, with a dinner dance, and from then on it will be cricket, lovely cricket!