History of Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club
Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club was formerly called the Albion which dates from circa 1810. The Albion changed its name in 1869 to Hunslet Nelson and played at the same ground at Low Road, Hunslet until 1987 when it moved to the Arthur Thornton ground, Gipsy Lane, Beeston. The happy stay at the Arthur Thornton ground lasted from 1988 until 1994 when Hunslet Nelson moved to its purpose built home at the Oval, Hunslet. The stay at the Oval was both uncomfortable and unhappy. The membership decided to leave the Oval in 1999 and ever since our home has been Gipsy Lane.
Like all clubs in the mid nineteenth century, Hunslet Nelson didn’t play league cricket. Cricket clubs at this time very politely invited other clubs to arrange friendly matches via the local daily newspapers. Hunslet Nelson was no exception, and was one of over thirty cricket clubs in the South Leeds area playing friendly cricket. Unfortunately, Hunslet Nelson is the last remaining cricket club in the famous and proud area of South Leeds!
The first cricket league Hunslet Nelson played in was the Leeds Second Class League from 1893 until 1905. In 1906 Hunslet Nelson joined the Leeds and District Cricket League until 1935 when it lead a rebellion and created the Leeds Central League. This venture lasted from 1936 until 1938. Hunslet Nelson rejoined the Leeds and District Cricket League in 1939 and was a member until 1964. Since 1965 Hunslet Nelson has been a proud member of the Central Yorkshire Cricket League.
Since our return to Gipsy Lane in 1999 there has been a dramatic transformation in the facilities and amount of teams and matches played on our ground. With a dedicated and hardworking volunteer base Hunslet Nelson has won the league ground award six out of the last eight years. The program of improving the ground and its facilities continues fifty-two weeks of the year. A three bay practice pitch was laid in 2005. Trees and bushes were planted round the perimeter of the ground in 2006. In 2007 changing rooms were acquired. They were totally gutted and refurbished to provide showers and toilets for two teams. Also an umpire’s room, disabled toilet and storage area was also provided. In 2008 two new buildings were constructed, a digital scorebox and tea room. The latter provided spectators for the first time with purpose built toilet facilities. In 2009 a patio was constructed in front of the changing rooms and tea room. 2010 saw the addition of a car park for the disabled, players and spectators, a hard standing area for equipment and paving around the practice pitches.
Hunslet Nelson was one of nine cricket clubs throughout England and Wales to pilot the Chance to Shine project in 2005. The same year Hunslet Nelson achieved ECB Focus Club status. The Chance to Shine project allows coaches from Hunslet Nelson to coach in local primary and secondary schools. Currently Hunslet Nelson through the partnership with the local schools and community runs teams at under 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 in the Heavy Woollen District Junior Cricket League and the Leeds & District Junior Cricket League. Hunslet Nelson also runs two Saturday senior teams and one evening team in the Central Yorkshire Cricket League.
In summary Hunslet Nelson currently has:
2 Saturday league senior teams and 1 Sunday league senior team
7 junior teams at under 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17
An active coaching program with ECB qualified coaches at Level 1 and 2