The history of Heworth CC (Cliff Elliker)

Evidence suggests that Heworth CC was formed in 1784, on June 18th 1980 the Yorkshire evening press published an article about cricket in York. It referred to a strip of parchment containing the rules of York area first club that was held in the Castle museum, it read:

We whose names are hereto subscribed do agree to meet on Heworth Moor every Tuesday and Friday morning at four o clock until the fifth day of September next for the purpose of playing cricket, to play for one penny a game and to fine three pence if not within sight of the wickets each morning before the Minster clock strikes five.

It also stated:

All monies shall be paid to Mr James Mawson (the appointed treasurer) and shall be expended in a supper at the latter end of the season at such house as the majority of the members shall agree.

To help further swell the funds there was an entrance fee of one shilling, and every member was obliged to pay one shilling towards the supper  “attend or not”

Both Heworth CC and York CC claim association with this early existence, however, Heworth’s club president Mr Clifford Elliker has researched the subject in length and informs us that the original parchment was signed by a group of prominent residents who lived in Heworth village, it therefore seems likely that charter marked the formation of the Heworth club rather than York CC.

The document is headed “Cricket articles for 1784”  there is no mention of the city or any adjoining village, all we know is that the playing area referred to as “Heworth Moor” was in the Mill Lane district of York. Mr Elliker suggests that the name “Heworth Revellers” may have been given to the club after a couple of years due to a split among members, a little later a team known as the “York Revellers” was formed.

The History of Cricket, a book by Eric Parker refers to the early start by stating: if the York players were punctual they must at the beginning and end of the season have pitched their wickets in the dark. One theory is that Heworth Moor was occupied by cattle or sheep that sheltered under cover overnight; this suggests that the dawn start was the only period of the day that the moor was free of livestock or another theory was that due to the long working hours evening matches were out of the question, the only convenient time for a game was before work in the morning.

Life member and one time President the late Coun. Jack Wood’s straightforward explanation was that cricket was against the law of the land, he said he didn’t really know why, maybe it was just considered a waste of time, we will never know if it was Heworth or York that was formed in 1784 what is certain however is that both clubs can claim to be the oldest in the area.

Over many years Heworth have led a nomadic existence playing on many grounds until 1953 when the York Blue Coat school, Meadow Way off Stockton Lane leased ground to the club, this led to prosperity for the club when they joined the York evening league. In 1958 the 1st XI were admitted to the York & District Senior league playing and winning their first match at Follifoot, in this game ex York CC opening batsman came out of retirement after 12 years to hit a century.

The 2nd XI joined the reserve division of the senior league the following year which led the club to go from strength to strength regularly fielding four elevens, with an extensive list of friendly Sunday fixtures for two elevens.
The club was out growing the ground at Meadow Way and in 1964 acquired a lease from City of York Hockey club at our present ground at Elmpark Way This move allowed the club to grow and develop and were fortunate to be allowed to play on ground adjacent to the club owned by the late Clive Kay, this allowed Heworth to form a 3rd XI and joined the York Vale league in 1977 followed by a newly formed 4th XI in 1985.

Heworth has been a leading light in local cup cricket, enjoying many successes over the years. A highlight was reaching the final of the Yorkshire Champions Trophy being defeated by Pudsey St Lawrence in 1977. The club have been winners of the Senior league knock out cup, Myers Burnell, Senior Charity cup, York invitation cup, Sawkhill cup, Huntington Cup, Junior Charity cup, Riddolls Cup and the Midgley cup. In the Premier division of the Senior league Heworth won the title in the first year of its inception in 1998 and won the old division 1 title 6 times.

The glory days were enjoyed under the captaincy of six foot, 20 stone Ian Reed who, in 1977 claimed 176 wickets, scored 853 runs and 20 catches a formidable feat by any standard, Ian sadly died on the field of play at Woodhouse Grange in 1989 having just bowled his tenth over.

In addition Heworth have a flourishing and successful junior section with u9, u11, u13 and u15 teams and a playing strength of some 100 juniors. This last season has seen the juniors enjoy one of its most successful with an unprecedented double-double in the York & District Junior Cricket Association. The u13 & u15 teams clinched their respective Hirepoint league championship with the u13 claiming the Hirepoint trophy and the u15 lifting the Presidents cup. To complete a memorable season the club also won the Hunters Intermediate crown.

The end of the season sadly saw the relegation from the premier league of the 1st XI to the 1st division but many feel that this can only b e a good thing,

The Heworth club has a lot of potential with many promising juniors in the wings and almost ready for senior cricket. Plans are afoot to erect purpose built nets on the ground with more ambitious plans in the pipeline, the club has much to offer with two excellent pitches, a well appointed clubhouse with licensed bar/lounge, tea and function rooms, 5 changing rooms and 2 shower areas.

What of the future? To encourage and develop the junior members, with good facilities and coaching for all members. The future of the club is in the hands of the young players and they must be encouraged, it all augers well for the future.