Professional

Season 2005

Season 2004

When cricket was first played at Settle is a matter for some conjecture but it seems likely that the first half of the nineteenth century saw some form of the game in the Settle area. However, evidence is available to show that on August 18th, 1857 a small group of sporting gentlemen met in a local hostelry ‑ the outcome of that historic meeting being the birth of Settle Cricket Club, still going strong some 135 years later.

In its infancy the club did not have a permanent home but it prospered and in 1885 agreement was reached with Langcliffe Hall Estate to rent the Marshfield to use as a cricket ground. Although no long security of tenure was given it was understood that as long as the club existed the ground would be available ‑ a gentleman's agreement which stood the passage of several generations until in the early 1970's Michael Dawson, the then squire of Langcliffe Hall Estate and himself no mean cricketer, granted the club a 28 year lease with an option to extend on expiry.

The present players' pavilion was erected around the turn of the century and continues to give good service although in recent years the facilities have been improved by the installation of electricity and the addition of showers, etc.

The refreshment pavilion, which originally housed a kindergarten, appeared in the 1920's, whilst scoring facilities at first housed in the upper storey of the players' pavilion and later in a wooden shed in the opposite corner of' the ground, are now in a permanent building adjacent to the pavilion. Since the Second World War the playing area has been gradually extended by some 25‑30 yds. on the West side of the ground and two all‑weather tennis courts, a large car park, club house and bar were added in the early 1970's when security of' tenure was guaranteed. Main access to the ground is through a pair of wrought iron gates erected as a memorial to Dr. William Harrison, 'local boy made good', who during his adult years was a great benefactor of the club. The giant sycamore, for so long a feature of Marshfield continues to flourish adjacent to the refreshment pavilion at the eastern side of the ground, backed by the embankment of the now famous Settle to Carlisle Railway, whose steam trains are an added attraction for visitors. The view from the car park looking across the playing area is enhanced by a back‑drop of the Pennines with the majestic Castleberg Rock which dominates the old market town of Settle. The people of Settle are justifiably proud of the ground which is always maintained to a very high standard and members and visitors are indeed fortunate to be able to play or watch cricket in such idyllic surroundings.

At first the club played 'friendlies' but in 1892 when the Ribblesdale Cricket League was founded, Settle Cricket Club was one of the eight founder members, continuing in membership until 1899. No records of the years 1900 to 1902 can now be traced but in 1903 they returned to the league until 1922 when they joined the Yorkshire Council (Bradford Section). During the Second World War Settle played in the Craven League and in the 1946 season returned Yet again to the Ribblesdale League, leaving a 2nd eleven in the Craven League. When in 1952 the League lost its West Lancashire Clubs to the Northern League, Settle entered its 2nd XI in the Ribblesdale Junior League and on the formation of a third division in 1977 Settle were one of the first eight clubs to enter a side. There are now three teams in the Ribblesdale League, whilst the Youth side competes in the Upper Airedale Junior Cricket League.

Prior to the second world war a Wednesday Eleven was rim made up of local shopkeepers and the like who because of their occupations could not play on Saturdays and prior to its formation of the League's third division, who matches are played on Sundays, a full Sunday fixture list was arranged with good quality opposition from mainly Yorkshire sides who were very often included one or two county players. The highlight however of the Settle Cricket Club calendar from 1946 until well into the 1960's was the annual fixture in early season against the full Yorkshire Eleven who treated this match as part of the serious preparation for the county season This fixture was arranged by Dr. Harris (referred to previously, who was also instrumental in obtaining the services of a couple international players from Surrey or Middlesex to strengthen the Settle side. Ken Barrington Fred Titmus and Bernard Constable are play who spring to mind as players who have assisted on these occasions. Could it be one wonders that the decline in Yorkshire County Cricket coincides with the cessation of this fixture?

The first eleven have been Senior League Champions on 6 occasions ‑ in 1893, 1905,191 1919, 1952 and 1984, ‑ and won the Ramsbottom Cup in 1970. The second eleven won the the Junior League Championship in their first year in the competition 1952 and the third eleven won the Birchall Cup in its inaugural Year 1987. Over the Years the club has produced some fine amateur cricketers. It is impossible to list them all but mention must be made of one C.A.L. (Charlie) Swale, who captained the Club several seasons spanning the turn of the century He was President of the Ribblesdale League 1898 and in the 1903 season he, together with Jack Grisedale, dismissed Earby for 3 runs, both taking 5 wickets for 1 run. Charlie Milford was also a noted performer in the same period and in twelve seasons playing with Settle in the Ribblesdale League headed the League batting averages on four occasions. Throughout the twenties and thirties the deeds players such as Frank Peacock, W.W. Mitchell, Jack Carrington, Harold Hargreaves and other (too numerous to mention will long be remembered.

In more recent times, Harry Robinson, a fast left arm bowler was on his day probably one of the best outside County cricket and on occasions when the conditions were right was virtually unplayable. At the age of 53 he was still bowling fairly quickly and took 83 wickets at a cost of 4.73 each when playing in the second eleven. Eric Mitchell a hard hitting left hander scored over 10,000 league runs, reaching 50 on every ground in the league during a career spanning the late 40's, 50's and 60's. He twice headed the League batting averages. Jack Greenwood was an all-rounder of outstanding ability, leading Settle to the Senior League Championship in 1952 and topping the League batting averages in 1954. He was also a very versatile bowler, mainly bowling off‑spin, but did on occasions open with the new ball with more than useful 'seamers'. He was also a more than adequate wicket keeper when called on to perform behind the sticks. Another all‑rounder was Philip Sant, who took the League bowling prize in 1977 and in the following year won the League batting prize, breaking the League record individual score with 172 at Blackburn Northern in the process and also winning the T.S.B. Player of the Year Award. Another winner of that prestigious award was Don Weavers in 1984 when he led the club to the Senior League Championship and to the final of the Ramsbottom Cup as well as the League bowling prize.

Amongst the ranks of the professionals Settle have had since returning to the League in 1946 are Jack Buswell, ex Northants fast bowler, Len Wilkinson, ex Lancashire and England leg spinner, Bob Ratcliffe who started his career as a professional at Settle and went on to play several seasons for Lancashire, and Don Weavers who came from the North Lancashire League and was a regular in the Cumbrian Minor Counties side. Don proved to be a most consistent professional and stayed for seven seasons in that capacity before staying on as amateur for three seasons. Another gifted cricketer from Cumbria, Kevin Sample, followed Don Weavers as professional and in his two years with the club helped win the Senior League Championship in 1984 and in 1985 won the League bowling award with 64 wickets at 9.71 runs per wicket.

Outstanding amongst a number of overseas amateurs ‑ from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa ‑ was Rudi Steyn from South Africa, who in 1987, only 20 years old, scored 121 in his first match which was the League's highest individual score of the season and also won the League batting prize. He became the first player from the Ribblesdale League to play in the League Cricket Conference Xl when he played against a World Xl. Since returning to South Africa he has had a highly successful career as opening bat for Orange Free State, which he now captains.

Settle have supplied several players for Ribblesdale League Representative sides over the past few years at all levels. Andrew Davison, still with Settle, and David Scothern, now with Barnoldswick, at Senior level; Mike Newhouse now playing in the York Senior League and still taking a lot of wickets with his leg spinners, who played at under 25 level when at Settle and at Youth level Tim Green who represented the League in 1988/1989. Settle's proudest claim is the discovery and development of Don Wilson of Yorkshire and England, subject of a separate feature.