Henley Cricket Club runs four teams and a junior section from its beautiful ground in Henley-on-Thames.
Henley Cricket Club, with a picturesque ground in Remenham, Henley-on-Thames, has moved forward on the playing front in a number of positive ways in recent years. The 1st X1 has now competed in the highly competitive, Home Counties Premier League for the last few seasons and won the championship in 2004.
The club now puts out five teams each weekend and is able to cater for players of different abilities, from those who like a more social game to those who are of minor county standard or thereabouts. In 2007, the 3rd and 4th X1s won their respective leagues, and 2nd and 1st X1s retained their positions in their respective leagues.
The Junior Section again went from strength to strength and Henley CC is proud to support the local Henley-on-Thames community with a number of its coaches attending sessions each week at local primary schools. The club recognises that its future is very much wrapped up in the development of young people, some of whom already are beginning to come through to the adult teams.
Any prospective member will find Henley CC is a friendly, family orientated club. It does not have to compete with tennis, hockey or bowls etc. In short, it is purely and simply a cricket club where people of a like mind can enjoy their game and a good social side. Come and join us and enjoy the atmosphere and, of course, your cricket. You will be most welcome at our beautiful Henley-on-Thames cricket ground.
Henley Cricket Club was founded by Archibald and George Brakspear in 1869, with a ground at Barn Cottage, Remenham Lane [the old pavilion can still be seen in the cottage garden]. This was a club for gentlemen and so in 1886 Henley Town Cricket Club was formed for the working man and they played at the present ground in Matson Drive.
The Great War ended cricket for both clubs and it was not until 1931 that Henley Cricket Club was reformed by Bill Brakspear and he had the grounds man, Lew Rose, build the pavilion which still stands to this day.
As the Brakspear family involvement declined and the Brewery sides ceased to Participate, in 1974 the brewery granted Henley CC a 30 year lease on the ground. As the end of that lease approached it appeared that the ground might be used for some other purpose than cricket, however, after protracted negotiations the club was offered the opportunity to purchase the ground and after much fundraising this was completed in December 2005.
After many years of playing friendly cricket, the club decided, rather belatedly, to embark on league cricket in 1988 and has made extraordinary progress in the two decades that have followed this decision.
The Club initially joined the 3 Counties League and rapidly progressed through the divisions to become league champions in 1994. We then moved to the Cherwell League and eventually won the first division title in 1999, so winning promotion to the Western Feeder League of the newly formed Home Counties Premier League. Two short years later we were again Champions and so promoted to the First Division.
We have consistently finished in the top half of the table and in 2004 we won the Championship, just 16 years after setting out on our journey!
We have come a long way since 1974!
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