Our story
GXCC
1882 – 2023
140+ years of great cricket
Gerrards Cross United Cricket Club was founded in 1882 and played its early matches on West Common (opposite The Bull Hotel). The first match was played on Easter Monday 10 April 1882 against Chalfont St. Giles who scored 15 & 20. The Cross scored 54.
In 1892 GXCC dropped the ‘United’ from its name, prior to moving to Dukes Wood in 1912. By 1920 the club was back on the common and three years later GXCC returned to Dukes Wood with the aim of securing a lease for the ground. In order to help finance this, the Misbourne Tennis Club was persuaded to move to Dukes Wood as tenants. On 23 November 1942, the GX Hockey club was formed when some of the cricketers requested a winter sport.
Initially, one committee was responsible for all three sections, but as each section ‘grew’ this became too much for one committee to handle.
Therefore in 1947, a new constitution was drawn up resulting in the adoption of a committee for each section, with responsibility for its own affairs.
A Management Committee was formed to take overall control and look after the pavilion facility and Gerrards Cross Sports Club was ‘born’.
In the 1950s, a Junior section was formed to encourage youngsters to play during the holidays, and fixtures were arranged against neighbouring clubs. In more recent years the cricket club has expanded considerably and now runs three Saturday teams and one Sunday teamplus a large Junior section, ranging from All-Stars aged 5 to Juniors up to18.
The Cross were founder members of the Thames Valley Cricket League (TVCL) in 1972 and, the 1st XI claimed their first league title the following year. The TVCL was restructured during the 1990s including the introduction of promotion and relegation. The 1st XI claimed their second league title in 2002 with a win at Marlow Park on the penultimate weekend and was subsequently promoted to Division 2 of the recently created Home Counties Premier League (HCPL).
During their time in the HCPL, the 1st XI flirted with both promotion and relegation. They were runners-up in 2006 and 2007 and in 2011 with five balls of the season remaining, avoided relegation. During the winter of 2013-14, the HCPL was restructured and the 1st XI found themselves in Division 1. Unfortunately, their time at the top level only lasted one season.
GXCC dabbled with promotion in 2015 but fell out of contention with a few games remaining. In 2016, life in the Premier League came to an end resulting in relegation back to the TVCL Division 1 where we currently play jostling with the top teams for promotion.
The 2nd XI currently play in the TVL Division 4 after a brief spell in Division 2 and 3. The 3rd XI resumed in 2022 at the entry-level Division 10
In 2013, the club's 3rd XI was re-formed and joined the TVCL in Division 9. The 3rd XI provided returning players and younger members of the club with an opportunity to experience league cricket. In 2015 the 3rd XI was promoted as league champions, the league's (18 divisions) only unbeaten side! A number of current 1st and 2nd team players have made their way through the junior ranks and the club is extremely proud of the large number of Juniors who have represented Buckinghamshire CCC over the years.
Over the years, a number of famous cricketers have also played for the Cross they include Hamish Marshall & Grant Elliot (New Zealand), Ryan Harris (Australia) plus, former England captain and current ECB Director of Cricket, Andrew Strauss and Alex Hales, the previous holder of England’s highest individual score in ODI cricket.
If you are in the Dukes Lane area of Gerrards Cross, why come down pay us a visit, have a drink and watch history being made?
Gerrards Cross Cricket Club