Langholm Cricket Club

Historical Timeline of Langholm Cricket Club from Past Minute Books 

• 
  1858
  • A movement has been for some time on foot to re-establish a Cricket Club here. It has met with marked success; the members already amount to nearly 30, and there is every prospect that this manly and athletic game will be carried on with great spirit. The 5th Duke of Buccleuch, with his wonted kindness, has given the club permission to play on the beautiful lawn in front of his Border seat.
• 1859
  • The first ever game involving Langholm was played on the 23rd of July 1859 against Hawick.
• 1934
  • Club stalwart, Mr Fred Graham, sadly passed away.
  • Club Constitution and Rules adopted.
  • R.Nesbitt employed as Groundsman on a wage of 5/- per week.
• 1935
  • Match admission increased from 3d. to 6d. (Pennies)
• 1938
  • W.G.Smith snr takes 10 wickets in an innings for 19 runs against Peebles County.
• 1939
  • Plans suggested to erect a Pavilion at pitchside.
• 1940
  • It was agreed to carry on the club as far as circumstanceswould allow due to the 2nd World War.
  • Club decided not to enter Carlisle Knockout Competition due to uncertainty of raising teams.
• 1941
  • The Military announced plans to take over the Castleholm in July.
  • Cricket ceased on The Castleholm due to the Military Camp despit several meetings with the camp's Commanding Officer.
• 1946
  • The Chairman gave a report of an interview by D.Milligan, W.G.Smith and J.Wright with the Officer Commanding the Camp and said that while there was no hope of getting a permanent pitch on the lower end of The Castleholm as it was presently used by the troops for football. The C.O. had granted the club permission to put up a practice net but pointed out that members would be admitted to The Castleholm, only by the main gate, and on the presentation of a Member's Card.
  • As there was a likelihood of the camp being vacated at an early date the clube were to contact the factor, Sir John H. Milne-Home whether the club could make use of the old pitch, now used by troops as a football pitch, with a view of having it ready for the 1947 season.
• 1948
  • Match admission fee raised to 1/-
• 1951
  • A proposal to play cricket on Sundays was defeated after a very heated discussion.
  • Langholm 2nd XI enter the Dumfriesshire Cricket Assoc. League.
• 1952
  • It was decided to introduce a local rule where a six would only be awarded if the ball cleared the perimeter fence.
• 1955
  • It was agreed to play cricket on Sundays.
• 1958
  • Club servants J.Wright, J.Fletcher & T.Paisley sadly passed away after many years of great service.
• 1961
  • Proposals were made to look into acquiring a new pavilion. J.Telford, C.Weatherstone, A.Stewart & T.Irving apponted to look into this.
• 1962
  • Tom Graham & Sons were awarded the work of building the new pavilion after an estimate of £1,490.
• 1963
  • The new Pavilion opens with a commemorative match,
• 1966
  • Discussions take place regarding the introduction of a licensed bar in the pavilion.
• 1967
  • New tables & stacking chairs were purchased, you know the ones!
  • After heated debate licensed bar proposal is passed.
• 1968
  • New club constitution adopted following the agreement to take on the licensed bar.
• 1969
  • Adam Beattie & James Black elected as Life-Members of the club for their many years of service.
• 1970
  • Langholm come out victorious at Crichton Royal Sevens. Team: E.Beattie (Capt.), T.Reid, W.G.Smith, R.Wylie, G.Irving, N.Grant & G.Johnstone.
  • Pitch is invaded by cows after a gate was left open.
  • Subscription remained at 15/- (75p)
  • W.Smith Jnr. takes 10 for 17 against Penicuik matching the feet by his father in 1938.
• 1971
  • Club retain Crichton Royal Sevens Trophy.
• 1972
  • Club finish runners-up in The Border League.
• 1973
  • Subscriptions raised to £1.
  • The club issue an apology to Mr John Young following an accident to his ear.
• 1974
  • Life-Member and great servant Adam Beattie sadly passes away.
  • Common Riding Committee request permission to build toilets on to the rear of the pavilion.
• 1975
  • The "Golden Arrows" make a parachute drop on to The Castleholm.
• 1976
  • Generator and electricity introduced into the pavilion.
  • Professional cricketer declines to play for Langholm during the coming season.
  • Langholm Cricket Club win The Border Cricket League.
• 1977
  • Indoor cricket nets installed in The Academy.
  • New toilets and shower room built to the rear of the pavilion.
• 1978
  • The club learnt of the interest of a cricket enthusiast living in Gretna who might like to undertake the job of umpiring for the coming season. J.Hogg was tasked to approach the gentleman in question, Henry Towler.
  • Club membership raised to £1.50.
  • W.Smith Jnr. passes 1000 wickets for the club.
• 1981
  • Club President Dr. T.M.S. Clark and Life Member James "Skinny" Black sadly passed away during the 1981 season.
• 1988
  • Henry Towler appointed as Club President.
• 1989
  • Gordon Johnstone and Steve Carr set new opening partnership record for the Border League of 240 against Lanark.
  • Steve Carr sets new high score record for the Border League of 254 the same day.
• 1990
  • Club servant T.Irving sadly passed away after many years of great service.
• 1991
  • Club secure the service of Australians Andy Armstrong and Richard Oswald for the 1991 season.
  • Subscriptions raised to £10 for players and £6 for ordinary members.
• 1992
  • Inglis Tait & Henry Towler elected as Life-Members of the club for their many years of dedicated service.
• 1993
  • Electricity is installed in The Pavilion.
• 1997-99
  • Life Member and loyal servant of the club, Inglis Tait, sadly passed away.
• 2001
  • Club celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Langholm winning The Border League in 1976. A smoker was held, attended by most of the successful team and also the current squad.
• 2002
  • Artificial wicket installed on The Castleholm.
• 2003
  • Showers are installed in the pavilion.
  • Gordon Johnstone elected as a Life-Member of the club for his many years of loyal service.
• 2007
  • Ist XI win The Border League Cup after defeating Gala in the final.
  • Tony Reid elected as a Life-Member of the club for his many years of loyal service.
• 2008
  • 150th Anniversary of Langholm Cricket Club.
  • Langholm win the Border League Sixes at Langholm.
  • Langholm unofficially win The Border League finishing top. League rules stated that having only played 6 games, in which Langholm won all 6, they did not qualify to win the League which was awarded to St. Boswells who played 7.
  • Langholm 2nd XI win The Reserve League.
  • Dorothy Johnstone elected as a Life-Member of the club for her many years of loyal service.
  • The club hosted a dinner attended by ex-players, sponsors, other clubs and local dignitaries to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the club.
• 2011
  • Pavilion re-opens following extensive refurbishment.
  • Langholm Cricket Club application to join The Eden Valley Cricket League was unanimously accepted.
• 2012
  • Langholm Cricket Club are promoted after finishing 2nd in EVCL Division 3 in their first season in The Eden Valley Cricket League.
• 2013
  • Langholm Cricket Club are promoted after finishing 2nd in EVCL Division 2.
• 2015
  • Life Member and loyal servant of the club, Gordon Johnstone, sadly passed away.