History of Stockport Cricket Club's Grounds

Previous Grounds

Very little is known about the early grounds of Stockport Cricket Club.  What is known is that between the club's formation in 1855 and the club moving to Cale Green in 1883 theclub had two other grounds.  These grounds were firstly off Greek Street, close to the present ground after which the club moved to a ground on Charles Street in Higher Hillgate in an area now occupied by housing and industry, backing on to Stockport Cemetery.  By the time Stockport were playing at Charles Street they were already a club of some stature, so much so that they hosted matches against a South of England XI including the legendary WG Grace, and also two fixtures against the Australian touring party as part of their test match tours to England in 1878 and 1880.

Cale Green

In 1883 the Mayor of Stockport, Henry Bell JP, donated the Cale Green ground to the town with financial support from the club.  This ground was the home not only of Stockport but also Cheshire County Cricket Club, and was used for the county's fixtures in the early years of the ground.  The layout of the ground has changed very little over the years, with the cricket pitch in front of the pavilion, two bowling greens and a separate pitch on a lower level which has had a number of uses including rugby, football and, at present, lacrosse.  The original pavilion is shown on the right (click to enlarge), and shows the original entrance in the middle at the front, and two windows above the door.  The enclosure in front of the pavilion was for club members only, and a tiered grass banking led down tot he pitch. 

It was some 50 years before the next major change, which saw an extension being added to the western end of the building which in due course became the function room.  There is a clear line along the roof tiles which shows the size of the extension.  The extension also added a new area below ground and the changing rooms were moved below ground with the exit being next to the front door.  The picture to the right shows the extension, and also the effects of some maintenance which has led to the removal of the two windows above the door and the central chimney from the roof. 

The terrace has been paved leaving three levels of paving separated by grass slopes.  A tree is just visible on the extreme right of the picture, and comparing its size with how it appears in future pictures is a good indicator to how little the design of the clubhouse has been changed when looking from the front.  A new room was built on the back of the pavilion which now houses the snooker tables, and the entrance has been moved to the east side of the building next to the bowling green. 

By 2008 the terrace has steps between levels (right), but from the front the only difference in the pavilion is the removal of the box on the function room roof, which was removed due to an undetectable and incurable leak.  The signs of its presence are clear with the new tiles in its place and the stained tiles where the rainwater used to run.  The original white fence was replaced in 2006 after about 120 years in existence, and was moved to the bottom level of the terrace from the pitch level.  The two gates at the front of the pavilion date from the age of "gentlemen and players", or amateurs and professionals respectively.  The gentlemen were allowed to use the gate directly in front of the main doors, while the professionals were required to use the other gate on the left of the picture.  Remember the tree that resembled a twig in the 1970s? 

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