Hampshire Cricket marked its 150th anniversary today by visiting three landmark venues in Southampton.
Honorary Archivist Dave Allen and the Chairman of the Hampshire Cricket Members Committee Terry Crump took a trip down memory lane.
First stop was the site of the Antelope hotel in St Mary’s, the location of the meeting at which the club was established in 1863. The hotel stood opposite the Antelope ground which was used as the county’s home venue up until 1884.
Archivist, Allen was happy to be back at the place where it all started: “I think it’s absolutely delightful, being here. I’ve always said it’s part of my job as honorary archivist is to preserve the ghosts and there are certainly some ghosts here. It’s very difficult to imagine the ground now but it’s lovely being here.
“To think of those guys sitting here in their top hats exactly 150 years ago – they could never have imagined how cricket is now but my suspicion is that they would have been proud to have started what we have today.”
The 1895 Hampshire team when the county debuted in the County Championship (Photo credit: Ageas Bowl)
A visit to Northlands Road – Hampshire’s longest serving ground was next on the agenda and Terry said: “All my memories of Northlands Road are all tied with the excitement of travelling there when I was 13 or 14 years old. It’s a real achievement for the club to reach 150 years and it’s great visiting the places where it all began.”
Northlands Road, located just off the Avenue in Southampton, was home to Hampshire Cricket until 2000.
The final stop saw the pair reflect on Hampshire’s current ground with The Ageas Bowl Chief Executive David Mann.
Mann said: “It’s strange to think of the number of changes this club has gone through over the years. From humble beginnings, Hampshire Cricket, the venues at which it plays its home matches, and the sport of cricket itself have transformed almost beyond recognition. Nowadays, The Ageas Bowl is a world-class venue hosting everything from international cricket to top-level music events. And Hampshire fans should be immensely proud of the club’s achievements, it’s rich heritage and bright future.”
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
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