1861 Shenley immerge as a village cricket team with a side to play London Colney
In the historical search conducted to date, investigations have led to various published game reports. Conveyed in the Hertfordshire Advertiser and St Albans Times. An article provided by the London Colney Cricket Club (and can be seen on their history web page) illustrates Shenley Village playing and losing and interesting game. This shows a very long association with London Colney.
1872 Saturday, July 22, 1871
Another article dated Saturday, July 22, 1871 told that the village team was up against St Albans. Played on July 17 at Shenley in the presence of a select company of visitors. Shenley lost after some capital play having been evinced on both sides. St Albans 119 and 95 for 6 Shenley 82 all out, lost by 37 runs. Generally, the club consisted of the same villagers for the period above, for a number of years or their relatives were we assume, drafted in. That certainly rings some bells even in today's club! Regular reported names cropping up at this time were A.Cassavetti, Dr Smythe, E.Osmond, W. Broom (prolific bowler), E. Anderson and a Mr. Odell, who seemed to play for Radlett too. There is even a couple of relatives of our current first team players', playing for Shenley. The games played in this era where played differently than we know in today's league makeup and were regularly very low scoring games.
1911 to 1914 Through to the First World War
Shenley managed to field teams until the First World War began in August 1914. The August Bank Holiday weekend was due to be their last match, playing against Arkley, but was never played.
1921 The Cricket club was reformed in 1921
The first game was played against St Albans Electrical Works whom they defeated by 55 runs on Saturday, 4 June. Thresher took a "hat trick" and went on to take four wickets in five balls for Shenley. Continuous cricket was played up until 1934
1922 Fixture Details
1923 & 1924 Fixture Details
1934 Annual end of season game is the last for 20 years
The last fixture played in this era was against Harrow School Outcasts, the opposition in June of that year. In this era, it had become an annual end of season event. Shenley won the game by 79 runs. The rivals consisted of Masters and students in their final year. Another source, informed us that the club cap was used for presentation purposes and was purple with yellow stripes.
1953 Shenley Cricket Club Reformed
At a public meeting held on Tuesday, 28 July 1953 in the Village Hall. Shenley Cricket Club was reformed once more.
Around sixty people gathered, where it was decided to form teams for adults, juniors, colts and a ladies team. Mr. C A Everill who presided was elected Chairman of the club. Also on the committee were Mr. C Anderton (captain) and Mr. H Ibbotson who had helped some of the younger members of the day put together what became the Shenley team of the time based at Green Lane. After that 20-year lapse Shenley took to the cricket field against Shenley Hospital. Playing on the current cricket centres ground, (where it is now one of our home bases!), they lost by 79 runs.
New club colours were formulated in the early part of this period, with green and gold being selected. The cap was green with two gold stripes. A badge on the cap was set in quarters with a stag, a set of cricket stumps, the village lock up and a large tree, in each quarter.
1954 Green Street Ground Opened
The Green Street ground was opened (approx. 1954) by Douglas Jardine, (who lived in Radlett at the time) the England skipper of the infamous "bodyline" tour against the Aussies in the 1930's. Mr. Michael Richards a local cattleman donated the ground, and with the help of some of the members land was cleared of tree stumps and levelled to resemble a cricket pitch and square to be rented to Shenley C.C. for a peppercorn rent of one schilling a year! We have copy photographs from Mr. Bob Burne, recording the opening of the Green Street Ground.
1955 Indifferent Season
1961 Have Fixture Book (will scan a link)
President: Michael Richards
Vice Presidents: A Armstrong, PH Constable, J Eden, W Freestone, ES Hanlon,
Rev NES Johnson, Dr AG Wilson, KM MacInnes, GS Obsborne, E Osmond, SGRiches
C Secker, R Streather, AE Trayling.
Chairman: GS Osborne, Pinks Cottage, Rectory Lane Shenley
Hon Secretary: R Burne Hon Treasurer: R Skeggs Captain: R Ronchetti
Vice Captain: R Skeggs Fix Secretary: AH Pritchard Team Secretary: F Pritchard
Official Scorers: Mrs R Skeggs Miss C Thrower
Committee:J Brown, Mrs Ruck, G Hanlon,F Trott,Mrs Turner,C Turner,T Heath,J Cooper,W Cole
Practice was held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The annual Subscription for Playing Members was 1.5 Gns., and for Non playing Members 10/6. There were reductions for juniors!
Committee meetings were held on the 3rd Thursday of the Month at 8pm.
Ground was at Borehamwood Roiad, Shenley the 358 bus (Borehamwood to St Ablbans bus) passed the ground.
D Ronchetti takes 11 for 14 in a tweleve man match! West Indian stars appearance
1962 Top Bowling Have Fixture Book (will scan a link)
1963 A second Sunday String.. Have Fixture Book (will scan a link)
1964 Have Fixture Book (will scan a link)
1965 The Green Street Clubhouse opens - Have Fixture Book (will scan a link)
The clubhouse was built and opened in May 1965. This was made possible by bingo drives, council grants and various collections
1966 Have Fixture Book (will scan a link)
1967 Have Fixture Book (will scan a link)
1969 Join Hertfordshire League
Shenley join the Hertfordshire Competition league, which was formed only one year earlier and remained there until their last recorded game in 1983.
1988 Reformed Again but as Shenley Village
In 1988, the newly reformed Shenley Village Cricket Club began, initially playing Sunday friendly cricket and eventually entering a team into the West Herts League, playing at Green Street. After spending several years in this league, the club progressed into the Hertfordshire Cricket League but becoming a nomadic side, having lost the lease of Green Street to London Colney Cricket Club. Subsequently, in 1997 and 1998, progressing further by achieving two promotions from the Sixth to the Fourth Division playing home games at the GEC sports ground, Shenley Park and Laing sports club, the club entered two league XI's for the first time in 1998.
As no knowledge of any previous village team was known about, the colours of the club were selected to be Navy, Red, Navy, with the unique old village lock up being the emblem of the club.
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993 Results for 1993 and Squad details (click the link 1993)
1994 Herts Advertiser notes News Report 1994 pt 1 News Report 1994 pt 2
1995 Involved in the Bryant League see the info added from Borehamwood Times
1996 The first Team finish runners up in Div 5 West Divison of The Hertfordshire League.
1996 De Hav Report 1996 More 1 More 2 More 3 1996 Newsletter
1997 New blood and progress
1998 Roots A history of the club forms from Newspaper articles of old.
1999 The club played outside the Shenley area
Following many years playing in and around Shenley and Borehamwood, the 1999 season saw the club playing outside the Shenley area. The club basing itself at the Woodside Park Club in Finchley, North London. After the MCC took over the running of Shenley Cricket Centre for a couple of seasons, pricing us out of playing there.
2000 Back to our Roots and a New League Structure
At the Nov 1999 AGM members elected to return to the club's roots in Shenley, with financial support from both players and local businesses. For the 2001 season, the committee arranged that we would return to the Nursery ground once more and play ALL home games there. This helped re-establish the name of Shenley Village C.C. after a season of uncertainty and playing at various "home" locations.
After a good season, finishing higher than previous seasons in Division Four both teams competed the season in the newly restructured Hertfordshire Cricket League with a vertical system of 14 Divisions (Premier to Division 13 inclusive) which meant our first XI were placed in Division 9 and the seconds in Division 10, with both teams having high hopes of promotion after consolidation in the last three years. Promotion for the Firsts team to Division 8 followed for season 2000.
2001 Consolidation First and Second teams
Australia Ladies visit Shenley and play England
2002 Hertfordshire Club of the Year 2002
In 2002 Shenley were rewarded when they put Three Saturday teams out and had all three sides promoted and earned the recognition by being awarded the Saracens Herts League's "Presidents Trophy" as Hertfordshire club of the year, the first team to be given the award outside the premier clubs. Newspaper report
2003 More Success
The momentum continued in 2003, with the first and third teams being promoted in consecutive seasons. The second team consolidated. See comments News report
With the help of Sam Seinthan many old and new test players make appearances for the Sunday side .. see the First class Links below.
Roland Butcher player profile Link guests against Elstree.
Farveez Maharoof makes guest appearances for Shenley Sunday side whilst involved with Sri Lanka U19 and Middlesex. Cricinfo player profile Link
Upul Tharanga player profile Link
2004 Flourishing
Flourishing in 2004, the club took over the Shenley Cricket centre colts.
First Team promoted for the fourth time in succession to Div 5 for next year. The Seconds and Thirds survive relegation scares.
Aravinda de Silva makes a guest appearance for the Sunday side against Elstree. Player profile
2005 Continued Progress Promotion 1st Team
The emphasis in 2005 was the growing colts sections and their entrance into the Herts League. Whilst the First team continued their rise up the Saracens Herts League by gaining yet another promotion to Division 4 by becoming runners up in Div 5.
The Second string moved to fifth place in Division 9 as younger players were introduced and played an important part for the club. The Thirds although technically relegated were spared that wretched downfall with the league adding teams into the league.
2006 Consolidation and Promotions for the 2nd and 3rds
In 2006 the colts section grew and produced some good cricket while the younger squad reached the regional final. Meanwhile for the first time in 6 seasons the first team was not promoted, possibly that can be rectified next year. However, the two other teams in the Saracens Herts League gained promotion; The Seconds to Division 8 and Thirds to Division 10. Leading the way to entering a Fourth side for 2007.
Click the year for the end of season tables.
2007 Consolidation is hoped for and a New Begining for the 4th Team.
In 2007 the colts section grew again and was strengthened off the field.
The year SVCC were awarded Club Mark Accreditation and also became a Focus club in Hertfordshire 
.
In the World Cup held in the West Indies, Upal Tharanga who played with us in 2003 represents Sri Lanka with Ferveez Mahroof 12th Man.
2008
The First team continue to consolidate finishing 7th in Division Three while the Second team continued a trend of promotion going back to 2001, a Shenley Village team has been promoted to a higher division. Making 13 promotions to date in the Herts league possibly a club record for the league to date!
The Third side had a tough time and survived a relegation battle though teams dropping out of the league helped the cause. Meanwhile the fourth team flurished and ended the season forcing their way into 5th spot just missing out on automatic promotion and remained unbeaten in 11 games, from the end, quite outstanding spirit.
The Sunday side had mixed fortunes but the colts went from strength to strength seeing three of the colts sections representing the club at the Herts finals. One team shone and the U10's went on to win the final. keeping up the tradition of the past few years of the rapid growth of the club.
Shenley Village - Herts League placings 1996 to current year
|
First Team
|
Year
|
Position
|
Division
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Herts Three
|
|
Promoted
|
2008
|
7th
|
Herts Three
|
|
|
2007
|
4th
|
Herts Four
|
|
Promoted
|
2006
|
10th
|
Herts Four
|
|
Promoted
|
2005
|
2nd
|
Herts Five
|
|
Promoted
|
2004
|
3rd
|
Herts Six
|
|
Promoted
|
2003
|
3rd
|
Herts Seven
|
|
Promoted
|
2002
|
2nd
|
Herts Eight
|
|
|
2001
|
6th
|
Herts Eight
|
|
Promoted
|
2000
|
5th
|
Herts Nine
|
|
|
1999
|
9th
|
Herts Four
|
|
|
1998
|
11th
|
Herts Four
|
|
|
1997
|
tba
|
Herts Four
|
|
|
1996
|
2nd
|
Herts Five West
|
|
|
1995
1994
|
|
Bryant League
|
|
Second Team
|
Year
|
Position
|
Division
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Herts Seven
|
|
Promoted
|
2008
|
4th
|
Herts Eight
|
|
|
2007
|
7th
|
Herts Eight
|
|
Promoted
|
2006
|
2nd
|
Herts Nine
|
|
|
2005
|
5th
|
Herts Nine
|
|
|
2004
|
16th
|
Herts Nine
|
|
|
2003
|
11th
|
Herts Nine
|
|
Promoted Champs
|
2002
|
champions
|
Herts Ten
|
|
|
2001
|
8th
|
Herts Ten
|
|
|
2000
|
18th
|
Herts Ten
|
|
|
1999
|
3rd
|
Herts Four 2nd XI
|
|
|
1998
|
5th
|
Herts Four 2nd XI
|
|
|
1997
|
tba
|
Herts Four 2nd XI
|
|
Third Team
|
Year
|
Position
|
Division
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Herts Ten
|
|
|
2008
|
17th
|
Herts Ten
|
|
|
2007
|
16th
|
Herts Ten
|
|
Promoted
|
2006
|
3rd
|
Herts Eleven
|
|
|
2005
|
16th
|
Herts Eleven
|
|
|
2004
|
11th
|
Herts Eleven
|
|
Promoted
|
2003
|
3rd
|
Herts Twelve
|
|
Promoted
|
2002
|
2nd
|
Herts Thirteen
|
|
Fourth Team
|
Year
|
Position
|
Division
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Herts Thirteen
|
|
|
2008
|
5th
|
Herts Thirteen
|
|
|
2007
|
12th
|
Herts Thirteen
|
____________________________________________________________________
Good things are again possible this year for the club as it consolidates.
Past & Present = Serving Members of the club
We require umpires, a scorer and welcome any new players for the season.
It is hoped that the club will be playing within the next years at a higher standard and expectantly one day reach a goal of playing in the higher Divisions, this will have to be achieved with younger players filtering through the teams of today and tomorrow.
We would encourage spectators and players alike to come along to our home games this season to support, play, Umpire or score.
The lock up motto is; Be sober, Do Well, Fear not, Be vigilant." ____________________________________________________________________
Summary
This has been a brief history article based on the 147 years of a village cricket side [1861 - 2008]. 105 years of actual cricket have been played during this time frame. Today's players carry on the tradition of previous representatives of the club. It is hoped, tomorrow's players will take the same view of past and present players to uphold the values of cricket and they will continue to enjoy the comradeship and competition, whatever their level of ability.
Most of the information has been extracted and conveyed in the local newspapers Hertfordshire Advertiser, St Albans Times, and latterly by the Borehamwood Times, the majority of information was gathered from the Colindale Newspaper Library.
Dave Stubbs
Do you know anything about our past? If so email us svcc0@yahoo.co.uk
BBC Sport report Shenley Cricket Centre: A typically English scene