Greatest Moment

The club's 125th anniversary in 2005.

Local Hero

Gilbert Porter - devoted groundsman who (literally) lives next door to his beloved square.

Bizarre Fact

In 1972 Mirfield Parish players started eating tripe to help their on-field performances!

Hazy Origins

The origins of Mirfield Parish CC are hazy, but 1880 is generally viewed as their date of formation.

In 1912 they won the Dewsbury & District Junior League Shield outright and in 1919 took part in the Heavy Woollen Cup for the first time.

Titles and Rules

In the early and middle decades of the twentieth century, Mirfield Parish won their fair share of Dewsbury League titles at both junior and senior level.

A set of rules issued by the old Mirfield Parish Cricket Club included Rule 2: ‘That the Vicar of Mirfield (if willing) be President of the Club, and the Assistant-Clergy Vice-Presidents’.

This confirms the club-church link, but also gives the vicar an ‘opt-out’ if he so desires!

Money, Money, Money

Parish were busy in 1959. They paid out £1 10s for a pianist – to play at their annual dinner - and the same amount for some French polish!

They also gained two unexpected items of income: a donation of 4s and a payment of 10s from Wormalds & Walkers as compensation for a missed fixture.

Towels and Trophies

In 1967 Mirfield Parish won the Dewsbury & District League title for the third time in a row under the captaincy of K.Blackburn.

What is interesting is the array of clubs in Section 'A' with Mirfield Parish: works teams (Birstall Carpets, Wormalds & Walker), a team representing early Asian immigrants (Muslim CC), and another church team (Dewsbury Salem CC).

Coaching Session

In 1967 the club gained more money from donations. They also seemed to host a West Riding cricket coaching session, which made them £14.

‘Cleaning’ was a new item of expenditure in 1967, and they were also forced to invest in a ‘towel’ for 5s 6d.

1967 was a good year for Mirfield Parish: they won Section ‘A’ of the Dewsbury & District League, and also scooped the prize for ‘best performance in last seven League matches’. They also reached the final of the Crowther Cup.

Plans for a new pavilion were announced in 1970, and in the summer of 1972 cricketers
at the club started eating tripe to help improve their on-field performances!

Boycott Visit

In 1975 the wicket was completeley relaid at a cost of £5,000.

Mirfield Parish joined the Leeds & District Cricket League, winning the Second Division in their first season.

The club celebrated its success with the opening of the current clubhouse by Geoffrey Boycott.

Clubs Merge

In 1987 Mirfield Parish and Dewsbury Cavaliers joined forces at Wellhouse Lane to form today's club, playing in the Central Yorkshire Cricket League.

The club gained promotion to the CYCL Premier League in 2001.

Today the club are also members of the Heavy Woollen District Junior Cricket League, running U15 & U17 sides.

Parish People

John Balmforth has been secretary of the club since the early 1970s, when the first extensions to club premises were made.

Brian Tattersfield, the current club treasurer, also took office in the early 1970s and has held the position for over 20 years.

Gilbert Porter has been club groundsman for 12 years and lives at least 15 yards away from his beloved turf!

Alan, Barry and Colin

Alan Barker was groundsman for 28 years, trustee for 29 years (still serving) and also played for many years.

Barry Wooller played for the club for many years, and is a past chairman.

Colin Fretwell played for the club until the ripe age of 60. He has also captained both the 1st and 2nd teams, served on the cricket committee for many years and is currently both secretary and treasurer of the club.

Attractive Ground

Today Mirfield PC compete in the Central Yorkshire League and in Wellhouse Lane boast one of the most attractive and atmospheric grounds in the league.

5 Key Facts about Mirfield

1. The Three Nuns public house takes its name from its
association with Kirklees Priory.

2. The pillars within Mirfield Parish Church are alternately circular and octagonal.

3. Mirfield Fire Brigade was taken over by the County Council in 1948.

4. Film star Patrick Stewart attended Crowlees Boys School.

5. The Shoulder of Mutton pub was originally built in 1710.

Early Clubs

Between 1860 and 1890 numerous cricket clubs and teams
sprang up in the Mirfield area. These included:

· Christ Church Mirfield CC

· Mirfield Church Choir CC

· Mirfield Liberal Club CC

· Mirfield New Connexion CC

· Mirfield Rifles Club CC

· Mirfield Roughs CC

· Mirfield St. John's CC

· Mirfield St. Paul's CC

· Mirfield Young Alma CC

· St. Paul's White Star, Mirfield CC