TCC About US
We are Todmorden Cricket Club, situated in the heart of our town, at the beautiful Centre Vale Ground. We have three senior teams and a thriving junior set up.
Todmorden is a market town nestling at the intersection of three valleys on the Yorkshire Lancashire border at the head of the Calder Valley overlooked by Stoodley Pike, an impressive monument to the Napoleonic wars. We have stunning Pennine scenery and fine Victorian architecture. There are both indoor and outdoor markets situated in the town centre adjacent to the iconic Town Hall. Todmorden was a “cotton town” and the ground and club was originally provided by the mill owning family of Joshua Fielden, his sons being cricket fanatics. John Fielden being the MP for Oldham who was mainly responsible for the Factory Act 1847.
Visiting professional Johnny Wardle (Yorks & England) apparently said the ground was second only in beauty to Cape Town in South Africa, the overlooking Whirlaw Hill being the doppleganger of Table Mountain. Although residing totally in the West Riding of Yorkshire since 1888, we have been a member of the Lancashire League for over 100 years. Until 1888 the county boundary cut through the ground, and as the pitch was laid out in the opposite direction as of today, one could bowl from Lancashire into Yorkshire, henceforth every league game is a roses match, adding that little bit of good humoured spice and banter.
The club was formed in 1837 and many famous cricketers have graced the ground, including “The Grace’s” back in1874. Far too many to mention, but we have produced 6 first class cricketers of our own over the years who we should be proud of. Richard (Dick) Horsfall, Essex & Glamorgan, Peter Greenwood, Lancs, Kenneth Fiddling, Yorks & Northants, Harold Dawson, Hampshire, but the 2 who also represented their country Derek Shackleton, Hampshire & England , and Peter Lever, Lancs & England deserve special mention, Shackleton’s county career being exemplary, taking 100 wickets or more in 20 consecutive seasons. Having such a lovely ground,we have beenhost to county second team fixtures since 1987. Innumerable first and test class cricketers have played here over the years,
We have an excellent function room with full kitchen facilities available for hire for any type of event, which is used frequently by locals celebrating weddings, birthdays, charity events etc. We also offer caravan and camping facilities and are a registered CL site, with many regular visitors. Next door to the ground is Centre Vale Park with many leisure facilities. The area is perfect for the discerning walker being very handy for walking the Pennine Way and the Calderdale Way, with many other footpaths, towpaths, bridleways ( Towneley Trail ) and packhorse trails to tempt both hikers and cyclists. The club house is decorated and furnished to a high standard and incorporates a bar lounge serving real ales, with a pool table, juke box, and Sky Sports TV.
Come and see us, “Thall be reet welcome”, “Se thee Soon”.