The Old Dovorian Cricket Club
The Old Dovorian Cricket over the last 130 Years.
The tradition of Old Dovorian cricket dates back to the 1880s, with Old Dovorians fielding teams to compete against the Dover College 1st XI. This tradition persisted, featuring matches against various Dover College teams until 2019. It’s noteworthy that between the World Wars, an annual cricket tour to Sussex was a staple event. Regrettably, post-World War II efforts to rejuvenate the three traditional Old Dovorian sports clubs met with challenges. The cricket and rugby clubs, in particular, faced difficulties, eventually merging into the OD Club. Meanwhile, the Hockey Club maintained its independence until the 1960s.
At this time, a close relationship was forged with Folkestone CC, facilitated by the OD Hockey Club. This allowed some players to represent both Folkestone CC and OD Cricket teams, whenever match schedules permitted—a practice that persists to this day.
The reciprocal bond between Folkestone CC and the Club has enabled members, players, and their families to come together and revel in their shared passion for the noble game of cricket.
In the 1970s, the “OD Cricket Week” was inaugurated by cricket-enthusiastic Old Dovorians. It featured OD Club Cricket teams competing against various itinerant sides, including The Forty Club, Incognito Cricket Club, Band of Brothers, and The Old Lawrentian Cricket Club, among others. These matches were day-long events, commencing at noon, and took place at the Maxton cricket ground on Folkestone Road in Dover.
During this period, the cricket square at Maxton was of such exceptional quality that Kent County Cricket Club considered it as an alternative to the Crabble Court Ground, also located in Dover.
It wasn’t until the late 1980s to early 1990s that the Old Dovorian Cricket teams participated in “The National Public and Independent Schools Cricket Association Competition,” competing in the regional Kent group against teams from Cranbrook and Orpington.
In recent years, there have been matches played between the Old Dovorian Club President’s XI and Chairman’s XI. More recently, games have been played against Eastry CC. These matches have taken place at Maxton Cricket Ground, accompanied by a BBQ or “Street Food” to provide all-day food and refreshments for visitors, guests, and players, creating a fun family day out.
Currently, the Club is looking towards the future, and Derek Aslett, a former Kent professional cricketer from 1981 to 1987, who has had a longstanding connection with Dover College Cricket, has graciously agreed to become the Cricket Club’s first patron since its revival.
The Cricket Club has re-established itself as an independent group within the Old Dovorian Club community, while strengthening its ties with Folkestone Cricket Club and other local cricket clubs in Kent.
The Old Dovorian Cricket Club aims to provide a welcoming and friendly environment, allowing both players (ladies and gentlemen) and the Cricket Club’s social members to enjoy watching and playing cricket at a reasonable standard, set within pleasant surroundings and good company, or while attending a “County Championship” or “One Day” match at Canterbury or the renowned Lords Cricket Ground in St. John’s Wood, London.
All Old Dovorians, their families, friends, past and present staff members, as well as current parents and students of Dover College, are warmly invited to engage with the Cricket Club.
For more information about the Old Dovorian Cricket Club and how to get involved, please click the link button below to be taken directly to the Old Dovorian Cricket Club website.
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