In about 1880 the Reverend Brookes had a pitch laid in the Chestnut Field for the use of the village. Quite literally the seeds had been sown for the future.
1907 - Croft Cricket Club is established. They join the South Leicestershire Cricket League in Division 4 and set about their task in fine fashion. Early matches are dominated by the bowling attack of Shenton & "Buzzy" Rowbotham. They terrorise opposition batsmen, and it is rare to see a team score more than 50 against the newcomers. By late August Croft are top of the league closely pursued by Countesthorpe. Check out the 1907 League table. The recently obtained photo confirms Croft as the League Champions. (see Legends Photo's)
1914-18 World War I - presumably not much cricket played then. Before the war Alfred College was manager of Croft Rising Stars Football Team and played a bit of cricket. Sadly he did not return from Ypres in 1917 but his baby boy Cecil grew up to play football and cricket for Croft. (Cecil's Son-in-law Gordon Smith was a legendary seam bowler in the 80's, who in turn has a son Darren - a great opening batsman now in Oz. Jane was a great tea lady and Louise a great scorer)
1939-45 World War II - Nazi "Reign Stops play" - but not for long. Cecil College and his pals from Croft Quarry (all 900th Company Royal Engineers) return from Germany. "Cig" was known to put up a solid defence early in the innings to allow the middle order to swing the bat later on. 1948 and it was back to cricketing business.
1950 - Eric Plaice (snr) was Club Captain. (See photo away at Narborough)
1962 - Division 2 Runners Up
1968 - It was about this time that the team moved from the "Cheggy" Field to Winston Avenue. The "Cheggy" field was owned by the Church and development of the facilities was not possible. Our bowler's didn't complain as wickets were aplenty, but our batsmen liked the idea of a new flat featherbed to ply their trade. The "Cheggy Field" was very picturesque. Today it is the Croft Glebe, preserved for wildlife. (See photo)
1970 - Division 5 Champions
1971 - Division 4 Champions
1972 - Division 3 Runners-up......amazing performance
1977 - Division 4 Champions and Burbage Cup Winners
1986 - Division 1 Champions. 2nd XI finish mid table in Division 4
1987 - New boys struggle in the Premier League and relegated back to Div 1. 2nds still in Division 4
1988 - Division 1 Runners up. The 2nds do likewise in Division 4. Martin Bailey (Birch) wins Division 1 batting average with 503 runs at an average of 62.88. Grimesy is top fielder in Division 1 with 10 catches. Rodney Wileman (Jock) wins Division 4 batting average with 368 runs at 28.31 - hold on, he also bags the runner-up bowling average 37 wickets at 8.46 runs apiece. Crafty Jack Jameson is top wicketkeeper in Division 4 with 19 catches and 5 stumpings.
1989 - Croft's farewell season to the South Leicestershire League - a sad farewell to Huncote, Sharnford, Burbage - teams who we have not since played competitively. We leave on a high having achieved our status in the Premier Division.
1990 - Croft are admitted tp the Leicestershire Club Cricket League together with Loughborough Carillion to Division 3 & 6 (Second XI). In the first game the two First Teams are paired up against one another. Loughborough set a target close to 200, but the villagers (as a few Loughborough players like to call us) chase down the target and claim victory.
1990 - Runners-up Division 3 - a great start to life in the Club League. Next year it would be Kibworth, Barwell, Syston, Kegworth and Earl Shilton to tackle head-on.
1991 - Relegated from Division 2 on the last day of the season after a tough campaign.
1992 - Runners-up Division 3 again - great fighting spirit from a determined group of players. Other teams are beginning to take note of us.
The next few years start to see the break-up of this successful team. The Club continues in Division 3 for several seasons, with many younger players breaking through into the senior teams. The League expands, and introduces several strong teams. First XI drop to Division 5. Second XI remain in Division 7.
2007 - We start the campaign after a successful 2006, and have high hopes for a great year.