Stoneleigh Cricket Club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stoneleigh Cricket Club is one of the oldest cricket clubs in Warwickshire and officially the most beautiful ground in England in 2003 as voted by Wisden Cricketer.
The club was formed in 1839 by Chandos Leigh, 1st Baron Leigh and the ground was established in front of the West Wing of Stoneleigh Abbey for the benefit of his sons William Henry Leigh and Edward Chandos Leigh so that they might continue to play cricket in the summer on returning home from Harrow School.
One of the oldest fixtures recorded is a match played between Stoneleigh CC v Harrow School in 1847 at Harrow. A match was played against Rugby School in 1849 at Rugby School. This match is still annually played between Stoneleigh CC and Rugby School
Sons of William Henry Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh continue to play cricket through the 1860's and 1870's. Fixture Cards dated 1868 and 1869 have been found.
One of the most famous matches was played in September 1872 at Stoneleigh Abbey between the I Zingari and The Gentleman of Warwickshire to celebrate the coming of age of William Henry Leigh's eldest son Gilbert Henry Chandos Leigh.
Today the club is a thriving club with a Junior Team now established as it was originally founded by Chandos Leigh, 1st Baron Leigh. We have a few ageing members who might remember the golden era of Victorian Country House cricket.
