Collingham Cricket Club celebrate 175th anniversary as the team sit top of Nottinghamshire Premier League in promotion charge

The highest ranked cricket club in our area is looking ahead to the future as they prepare to celebrate their past.

Formed in 1849, Collingham Cricket Club will this weekend mark their 175th anniversary with a series of special events.

The club currently sits at the top of the Nottinghamshire Premier League Division Two — 12 points clear of second place.

If they continue their successful charge and are promoted to Division One at the end of this season, they would be just one level away from playing professional cricket.

Club secretary, Charles Lucas said: “We are the number one cricket club in the area, but we haven’t always been successful, we have up and downs like everyone.

“At the moment we’re in a period of growth and a lot of that is down to our facilities, our structure, and our open to all ethos.

“So our intention is to continue to attract talent, train that talent and improve our standards.”

The club has a lot of talent to choose from, fielding four senior men’s teams, three women’s teams and youth squads from the ages of Under 9s to Under 15s.

In total Collingham boasts around 150 playing members, as well a team of backroom staff and volunteers who help to keep things running smoothly.

The celebrate their milestone 175 years, celebrations will kick off on Friday when the club will welcome 180 people to a sit down gala dinner with a live band, followed by guest speaker, and former England All Rounder, Geoff Miller.

It will be back to business as usual on Saturday as the club will play a scheduled league game, making the short trip down the road to face off against bottom of the table Balderton.

Then on Sunday a special match has been set up between the first eleven against Marylebone Cricket Club, who play at the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, starting at 11.30am.

A reception and buffet lunch will follow the not to be missed game, for all former players, club members and sponsors.

Charles added: “Over the last 10 or 15 years smaller cricket clubs have been really struggling, the cost of running a club is expensive.

“We’re lucky that we haven’t had to merge and have been able to remain independent.

“There is a lot of change at the top, with the game getting more technical and faster. But everything that happens in the professional game feeds down to the amatuer level.

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without community around us.

“Our groundsman is retired but spends about 95% of his time working at the ground and does and excellent job.

“So we’re looking forward to celebrating because 175 years is not something to be frowned at.”