2026 is a special year for Grayshott Cricket Club as it celebrates 130 years of cricket. The club is now a thriving one, far removed from those early days when the club had just one men’s team and was one of the founder members of the I’Anson Cup Competition. It is still one of the few clubs that have remained in the league throughout its long history.
Cricket in Grayshott was first played in the field where the Catholic Church now stands. The cricket club was founded in April 1896 and Oliver Chapman, very much the pioneer of cricket in Grayshott, soon approached Ingham Whitaker about a ground where matches could be played. The outcome of their discussions was a pitch to be laid on ground commonly known in those days as Grayshott Park (next to Applegarth) opposite Grayshott Hall and it was on that ground that the club entered the I’Anson Cup Competition at its inception in 1901.
For most of its history Grayshott has fielded just two men’s teams in the original I’Anson and Miller Cup Competitions. The late 1950`s saw the introduction of junior cricket at the club and then in the 70`s Peter Clapham became the main force for leading junior cricket. Both Peter and Gerald Baker were famous figures at the club both on and off the pitch for many years.
Since the late nineties and throughout the beginning part of this century the club has grown exponentially under the leadership of Graham Sampson and Paul Roberts. In 2026 the club will field four men’s sides, four women’s sides and eighteen junior teams including four girls only teams. As well as being a Super 1s Disability Hub the club is also an ECB All Stars and Dynamos Centre.
The club has always been a family orientated one, offering cricket to all irrespective of ability and prides itself in engaging with local state schools to promote cricket for boys and girls who may not normally get the chance to enjoy our great game.
Grayshott CC now boasts over 500 members including over 400+ playing members and 130 All Stars & Dynamos. During 2025 the club reached another milestone with 100 girls playing at the club. Grayshott’s reputation in developing young cricketers continues with many former junior players progressing into adult cricket at the club. Club stalwart Andy Wheble has now scored over 15,000 runs in Division 1 cricket for the club and off the field has organised several fantastic cricket tours. Also, one Ollie Pope started as an under 9 at Grayshott before making one of several moves on his way to achieving the ultimate accolade of playing and captaining your country.
The club introduced Women’s softball cricket in 2020 which has continued to grow in popularity. With the growth in girls cricket, 2025 saw the club re-launch a women’s hardball team aimed at providing a pathway for older girls and 2026 will see the club run a second team to allow women to progress from softball to hardball cricket.
In 2026 the club will also be launching Walking Cricket aimed at men and women 55 years and over who are keen to maintain their physical and mental health in a social environment. A great opportunity to exercise in a fun environment and meet new friends.
The new season will also see the men`s 1st XI picture here return to Division 1 of the I’Anson Cup Competition after only a one year absence in the whole 125 years of the competition.
With the growth in membership, the club transformed its outdoor net facilities at Grayshott several years ago and then made the bold move in 2016 to take on the responsibility for a second ground. The club acquired the lease for the idyllic ground at Broxhead Common at nearby Lindford and over the previous ten years has developed the site including adding another junior pitch.
2026 promises to be another full year of cricket at the club and you can hear more on the club’s plans at the AGM on Friday 6th January at Grayshott Pavilion 7.30pm start. The AGM will be followed by Pizzas and a Music Bingo Quiz.
For more information on joining the club please visit the club’s popular website at www.grayshottcc.co.uk
