About Greenock Cricket Club

 

GREENOCK CRICKET CLUB exists to encourage, foster and develop the sports of cricket, hockey and squash throughout the Inverclyde area and promotes and organises the participation in these sports by the youth of the area. It seeks to maintain the traditions of the Club that have been developed since its inception in 1862. It is a truly open Club and operates regardless of sex, age, religion, disability, ethnicity, nationality or sexual orientation.

It has had a long and distinguished history as one of the foremost clubs in Scotland, and in that time has won many honours both in the West of Scotland and latterly, since the introduction of national cricket, within the whole of Scotland.

Currently, three Senior teams are fielded. The 1st XI plays on a Saturday in the Western Premier Division of the Cricket Scotland League and in the group stages of the Scottish Cup. In addition, there are midweek evening fixtures in the Rowan Cup and also in the West League Cup. There may also be the odd friendly on a Sunday but these are becoming fewer and fewer as the years pass.

The 2nd, or Glenpark, XI also play on a Saturday in the Western Premier Reserve League of the Western District Cricket Union where their fixtures mirror the league fixtures of the 1st XI. There are also cup games in the Western Cup, which are played on a league basis on the Saturdays when the 1st XI play their Scottish Cup ties.

The 3rd XI is viewed as a development team and plays on a Sunday, in the Third Division West of the WDCU Sunday League, under the name of Hillend. The latter was a long-established junior team in Greenock which has decided to join Greenock in an attempt to keep the name of Hillend alive.

The Club has a flourishing Junior section. Teams are fielded in the Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 leagues of the Western District Junior Cricket Union, whilst the Under-18s play in a couple of Cup competitions. Younger children learn the rudiments of the game by playing in Kwik Cricket festivals within the West of Scotland. Weekly practice sessions are held for the Juniors on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. More information on the section can be found here.

As well as cricket, the Club has a very strong Hockey section for both Gents and Ladies and this too has an extremely active Junior section. There is also the option to use the Club's squash court.

As a result of this sporting activity, the Club is open 365 days a year and there is a strong and active social section which enjoys the benefits of a small but friendly Clubhouse and bar, staffed by the Bar Steward, Barto Andrade, and his team of paid and volunteer bar helpers.

On a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon, there is no better place to come and watch cricket whilst sipping a cool beer than at the 'Bottom Wall', the area of the ground which directly faces the clubhouse. Many an unsuspecting white body has been turned a redder shade of lobster by the rays of the sun reflecting off the whitewashed walls!

Membership is open to all age groups. Anyone wishing to play cricket will pay £191 per year, whilst a reduced rate is applicable for anyone under the age of 21 or a full-time student. Social members pay £89 per year. Anyone interested in joining should contact the Secretary.