According to an old minute book, Haworth Cricket Club was formed in 1887 and was originally called Haworth Wesleyans CC, with the earliest information available being of a match against Lees Albion on September 14, 1889.

Their first games were played in a Haworth field at ‘Long Bridge’ and then, from an unknown date, games were played at Cooke Gate (just off West Lane) until the present ground at West Lane was purchased and opened in 1951.

From 1893, the club has played in the Keighley and District Junior League, the Keighley section of the Craven Junior League and the Craven Senior League.

By 1905, the Craven senior and junior leagues gave way to the Keighley and District League and the club was a member of the senior section, before being admitted to the West Bradford League.

The 30s and 40s were very successful as they were Keighley Cup or West Bradford League winners 11 times in 14 years. The club stayed there until 1984 when they joined the Craven and District Cricket League. The club changed its name from Haworth Wesleyan CC to Haworth Methodist CC, then in 1992 it was changed to Haworth CC – although it still gets called ‘Haworth Meths’ even now.

Over the years the two senior sides have had good years and bad. From 2008 the committee started to work on the improvements needed to bring the club facilities up to date and able to be used by other groups. Plans turned into action over the next few years, culminating in the social room being built, thanks in part to a lottery grant, over the dreadful winter of 2010/11. Half the pitch was mud and club stalwarts worked hard making the new room and pitch playable for the start of the 2011 season.

From the beginning, visitors and locals couldn’t say enough about the vast improvements that had been made and this was the springboard for the club to continue to press forward – two senior players gained their ECB Level 2 Coaching Certificates last winter and in 2012 Haworth CC was proud to be accredited with the prestigious ECB Clubmark status.

2012 is the year that will go down in the Haworth CC history books as the 1st XI became Craven and District Cricket League champions for the first time in the club’s history.

Haworth CC is keen to work with local primary schools as well as churches and other organisations as their facilities are unique and can be used all year round. The club wants to be more than a cricket club. Now though, the focus is on running an under-9s side for 2013, as well as maintaining its existing junior sides.

For more information, phone (01535) 642965 or visit haworthcricketclub.org.uk or haworth cc.play-cricket.com.

  • Can you put names to faces on the early team photo? Please contact the club if you can.