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🏏 The Very Beginings 🏏
Our club’s journey began in the summer of 1944, when we played our very first match on the cricket ground at Fatherwell Hall. The game, between Offham and West Malling, saw our team take on the hall’s gardeners in a spirited contest.
The following year, in 1945, a special return fixture was arranged to celebrate the homecoming of two players from the war. This match took place on a piece of land along Church Road in Offham—owned by Mrs. Emily Cosgrove (pictured right) and farmed by the Betts family.
That very field was generously donated to the Parish Council and then leased to the cricket club in perpetuity. Ever since, it has become our perminant home, with generations of cricketers continuing to play on this historic ground, keeping the spirit of the game alive.
🏏 Building the Foundations 🏗️
In 1946, Mrs. Cosgrove subsequently became the club’s very first president, a role she proudly held until 1972. Following her tenure, the Betts family continued the tradition of leadership, with various members serving as club president. In 2020, Stephen Betts took over the role from his father, Stuart, ensuring the family’s legacy remains strong.
The club badge proudly features the medieval quintain, a historic training post for knights (pictured right) that still stands on the village green. Remarkably, it is believed to be the last remaining quintain in the country, symbolizing both our village’s rich history and the enduring spirit of our club.
🏠 Home for the Last 80 Years: The OCG 🏠
Although our ground remains modest in size, it was originally even smaller. A separate field once occupied the western side, divided by a fence stretching from Brooker Gate on North Meadow to what is now a five-bar gate on the opposite side. It wasn’t until 1985 that this adjoining field officially became part of the cricket ground, allowing for much-needed expansion.
In its early years, weekend matches were limited to Saturdays only, as sport was not permitted on the Sabbath—a tradition that shaped the club’s playing schedule in its formative days.
🏅A Storied Legacy: Cricket Greats at Offham CC🏅
Over the years, many well-known cricketers have been associated with our club or played at our ground. One of the most notable was Colin Page, a talented off-break bowler for Kent in the 1950s and later the legendary manager of the county team.
Colin had a deep connection to Offham, living right next to the ground and serving as club chairman from 1968 to 1971. During his tenure, the club bar was officially opened—a moment marked by the presence of several Kent county players. In the photo to the right, you can see Norman Graham, Brian Luckhurst, John Shepherd and Bob Woolmer, with Colin Page standing on the far right.
🏏 2014: Cricketing Legends Become Part of the Legacy 🏏
In August 2014, Offham had the incredible honour of hosting the Lashings Cricket Team—a renowned side made up of ex-international players and England legends, including John Emburey, Adam Hollioake, Alex Tudor, and Devon Malcolm.
Known for their charity matches and exhibitions, Lashings' visit to the OCG offered a rare opportunity to watch these former stars showcase their skills. The event drew fans to the ground and created lasting memories that are still held fondly within the club.
The video to the right highlights this unforgettable event, capturing the excitement and energy of the day.
📅The Last 20 Years: Our Modern Cricket Journey📅
In 1996, Offham took a major step forward by entering league cricket through the Mid Kent Cricket League for the first time. The 1st XI was placed straight into Division 1, while the 2nd XI started in Division 2. Both teams remained strong contenders in the top divisions until the league expanded in 2001. That year marked a historic moment, as the 1st XI won the Mid Kent League, earning promotion to the Kent League, with the 2nd XI following suit as runners-up in their division.
Since joining the Kent League, the 1st XI has continued to make its mark, winning Division 5 in 2012 and more recently in 2024.
The Sunday side entered league cricket for the first time in 2007, and by 2011, a golden era had begun when they won the Medway Sunday Cricket League. This victory led to an impressive streak of back-to-back promotions in 2012, 2013, and 2014, establishing the team in the Kent Village Cricket League.
More recently, the Sunday side won the Kent Village Cricket League Division 4 title in 2023, going undefeated the entire season before achieving another promotion straight through Division 3 in 2024. A key factor in this success was the introduction of a second Sunday team, the Sunday Development XI, in 2021, providing greater opportunities for players to develop and thrive.
While the club has enjoyed significant success at the senior level, its greatest achievement over the past two decades has been the development of its junior cricket program.
Since 2004, Offham has nurtured hundreds of aspiring cricketers, providing a safe, positive, and fun environment for all to thrive. However, it was from 2018 onward that the junior section truly flourished. That summer saw the Under 11s compete in the West Malling Junior League for the first time, followed by the Under 13s in 2019, the Under 15s in 2021, and the Under 18s in 2022.
The junior teams have experienced remarkable success on the pitch, with the Under 11s winning the league in 2020 and finishing as runners-up in 2019 and 2022, the Under 13s finishing as runners-up in 2020, the Under 15s winning the league in both 2021 and 2023, and the Under 18s securing a runners-up spot in the Weald of Kent Junior League in their debut season in 2023.
As the junior section continued to grow, 2022 saw the creation of a Saturday 3rd XI for the first time in the club’s history, offering young players the chance to bridge the gap between junior and senior league cricket by playing alongside experienced seniors in a welcoming and competitive environment.
Beyond the successes on the pitch, Offham Cricket Club has also established a strong and vibrant social environment, making it the beating heart of both the club and the local community. With regular events, social gatherings, and a welcoming atmosphere for players, families, and supporters alike, the club has become more than just a place to play cricket—it is a place where friendships are formed, memories are made, and a true sense of community thrives. This legacy of development, success, and camaraderie continues to shape the future of Offham Cricket Club, ensuring its place as a thriving hub for cricketing talent and social connection for years to come.
To see more about who we are, more detail of our indvidual success and other key information, click the links below.
