Greatest Moment

1922 - the club being gifted their new pavilion.

Local Hero

John Brooke - local historian and current club chairman.

Bizarre Fact

The club's buildings were all painted red because...club members could only find pots of red paint on the day they had assigned for painting!

Viaducts and Cows

Lightcliffe's ground is owned by a local farmer.

In the near distance you can see over to the Bradford suburb of Wyke; you can also spot two viaducts, a folly and dozens of cows (hence the notice in an adjoining field: BEWARE BULLS).

The club produces an excellent 12-page programme to accompany 1st XI home games and charges spectators a £1.50 admission charge (£1 for OAPs).

In the field, Lightcliffe's cricketers are prone to yell, 'Come on the Villagers!', but the team should really be known as 'The Reds', such is the club's self-identification with the colour.

Red All Over

The club crest features a green tree against a scarlet background; the caps worn by LCC players are a fairly dark shade of pink; and, quite a rarity, the scoreboard, umpires hut and pavilion are all painted red and white.

These three buildings are in fact the main features of the Wakefield Road venue.

It's not just their colour, but their architectural quality. The pavilion is the jewel in the crown, and has a delightful frontage. 

'Proper Batting Track'

Lightcliffe's ground has a range of other features: the state-of-the-art covers, the super sightscreens, the 'Lightcliffe Salad Tea' (£3), and the Canterbury-esque tree that hangs over the boundary edge to the left of the pavilion.

As regards the wicket, it is described as a 'proper batting track' by a 1st XI fast bowler.

Wesley Visits

The Halifax suburb of Lightcliffe is famous for many things: its educational establishments (Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School and the older Hipperholme Grammar School - now an independent school), its golf club (founded 1907) and its UFO sightings (the latest took place, apparently, in March 2000).

In geographical terms, Lightcliffe is a crossroads, located at the intersection of Bradford, Brighouse and Halifax, but it is devoid of a railway station (shut in 1965).

Wesley Visits

The place also has an interesting religious history: John Wesley made many visits to the area, the Moravians created a settlement there, and the original St. Matthew's parish church dates back to 1529.

The church, in fact, lies just across the road from the little alleyway connecting Wakefield Road to the home of Lightcliffe CC (the church bells ring on the hour…as if to encourage the over-rate).

The club was founded in 1875 and in its early years played home games at West Field, at the other end of the village.

Founding Fathers

Lightcliffe were one of the founding members of the Halifax & District League in the late-1880s and then joined the Yorkshire Council.

The 1920s were a busy decade. Sir W.H. Aykroyd provided the club with a new pavilion in 1922, and two years later LCC enrolled in the Bradford League.

Two years after that, they captured the Priestley Cup for the first time, and went on to win it on four more occasions.

Famous Figures

The club's history has been dominated by the exploits of W.H. (Bert) Foster, Ronnie Somers, Albert Hartley, Donald Garside, George Bottomley, Herbert Aspinall, Martin Radcliffe, Roger Stead, and many locally-born players.

Lightcliffe & District Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club (as it is still formally known, even though the tennis courts disappeared in the 1970s) currently runs three teams for seniors, six at junior level, and allows the local school, Lane Head CC, and the Wakefield Diocesan XI to use its facilities when they want to. Abram Pulman is just one company that has helped to sponsor the club.

Women Members

In 1947 women at Lightcliffe would have been very pleased to hear the
news that in the following season, 1948, they would be accepted as full
playing members.

However, they would not have been pleased to hear that they would have
to pay the same joining fee as an ordinary member. Equality came at a price!

Final Thunderstorm

The Priestley Cup final of 1950 was affected adversely by the elements.

The Telegraph and Argus recorded: ‘After an appeal for bad light by the
Lightcliffe batsman had succeeded…a thunderstorm sent spectators scurrying for shelter.’

Centenary Fears

Uncertain times loomed for Lightcliffe in 1974. As one newspaper put it: ‘The club celebrate their centenary next year and are approaching a vital stage in their history. The lease on the ground ends in February 1977, which
means that 1976 would be their last season unless they can negotiate a new lease or arrange to purchase the ground.’

However, all fears were laid to rest when Lightcliffe successfully reached agreement over the Wakefield Road venue.

Stolen Sweets

Lightcliffe members were in for a shock when they discovered that their pavilion had been broken into in 1990 (on a Sunday evening or early Monday morning).

The home dressing room door had been forced open to gain entry.

However, players and friends of the club were relieved to discover that the only thing that was stolen from the pavilion were sweets and pop drinks!

Fashion Show

A fashion show was put on by the women of the club in 1990 - and was a huge success.

Not only was a lot of fun had by all, but the event also managed to raise an impressive £350.

Across the Bradford League there are urban landscapes aplenty, but
Lightcliffe bucks the trend. It is a beautiful rural outpost.