SCC History

Cricket had been played on the part of the Arnos Grove estate known as Chapel Fields since the 1840s but John Walker relevelled the playing area and founded the Southgate club in 1855. The ground was later named “The Walker Cricket Ground” in the Trust Deed of 1907 by which R. D. Walker, the last survivor of the seven brothers in the family, placed the grounds in the hands of Trustees with the object of it “being used for ever” for the playing of games.

The Groundsman’s Cottage was erected in 1923 in memory of the Walker family and in grateful acknowledgement of their magnificent gift to Southgate. The playing area to the north east (“New Field”) was relevelled for play in 1955. The main square was relaid in 1985 and the second square in 1992. The “Old Pavilion” which had been built in 1909 and extended in 1934 was superseded in 1967 by a new building to which many improvements have since been made.

In 1998 four-day County Cricket came to the ground and since then Middlesex have also played one-day games at Southgate. In 2004 a 20/20 fixture was played at Southgate for the first time and this continued in 2011 with a game against Somerset. In 1999 South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh all played at Southgate. More recently the facilities were deemed good enough to be a 20/20 World Cup practice venue for several teams and in 2011 the Walker Ground hosted its first Ladies’ international.

Southgate CC is a founder club of the Middlesex County Cricket League, commonly recognised as one of the strongest and most competitive amateur leagues in the country

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS

1974  Red Cross 20-Over Cup
1975  Wills Knockout Trophy
1976  Middlesex County Cricket League
1977  Middlesex County Cricket League
1977  John Haig Trophy Club Cricket Championship
1978  Wills Knockout Trophy
1979  M.C.C. Indoor School 6-a-Side Invitation Knockout Trophy
1980  Lambert&Butler Trophy
1980  M.C.U. 20-OverInter-Borough Knockout
1981  M.C.U. Indoor Competition
1982  Bertie Joel Club Cricket Cup
1982 M.C.C. Indoor School 6-a-Side Invitation Knockout Trophy
1984 M.C.U. 20-Over Enfield Borough Champions
1984 London Borough of Enfield 20-Over Knockout
1986 Middlesex County Cricket 3rd XI League
1987 London Borough of Enfield 20-Over Knockout
1990 London Borough of Enfield 20-Over Knockout
1990 Middlesex County Cricket 2nd XI League
1992 Middlesex County Cricket 2nd XI League
1994  London Borough of Enfield 20-Over Knockout
1995  London Borough of Enfield 20-Over Knockout
2000 Middlesex County Cricket 3rd XI League
2002 Middlesex County Cricket 1st XI League
2002 Middlesex County Cricket 3rd XI League
2004 Middlesex County Cricket 2nd XI League
2004 Middlesex 1987 Cricket League 3rd Division
2006 Middlesex County Cricket 2nd XI League
2007 Middlesex County Cricket 1st XI Div.2 Champions
2011 Middlesex County Cricket 1st XI Div. 2 Champions
2014 Middlesex County Cricket 1st XI Div.2 Promotion
2016 Middlesex County Cricket 2nd XI Div3 Champions
2016 Middlesex 1987 Cricket League Champions
2017 Middlesex County Cricket 2nd XI Div2 Promotion
2021 Middlesex Trophy
2022 Middlesex County Cricket 1st XI Div2 Promotion

The Walker Family

Four generations of the Walker family lived in the big house called Arnos Grove on Cannon Hill. There had been no great tradition of sporting achievement, but the seven Walker brothers got their love of cricket during their school and university days in 1855 and arranged for all the great teams of the day to visit the Waterfall Lane ground and play the village team.

For miles around, Southgate was soon to become the Mecca of cricket and in 1877 a Committee was elected. For Middlesex, the Walker brothers held every administrative office at some time or other and, whenever they played, one always captained the side.

Marquees and tents lined the ground, gaily bedecked with flags and bunting, providing shade from the sun and dispensing a variety of refreshment. The gentry would be in their finery for these special occasions, the ladies conspicuous in their crinoline dresses and brightly coloured parasols. The mass of the crowd, from all walks of life and from all parts of London, added to the hubbub of excitement. Travel to the ground was on special trains run by the Railway Company to Colney Hatch Station (now called New Southgate). There was indeed a carnival atmosphere.

The three eldest Walker Brothers played their cricket for the village team, then called Southgate Albert, on a very bumpy Chapel fields wicket. John, the eldest, spent large sums on re-turfing the ground to encourage a better standard of play. He founded Southgate Cricket Club.

In the middle of the 19th century, the organisation of cricket, both at club and county level, was sadly lacking. The Walkers were primarily responsible for raising a Middlesex team in 1859, founding the Middlesex County Cricket Club in 1864 and establishing the home of the country at Lords.

The seven brothers all became first class cricketers, the very backbone of Middlesex and all played in many representative matches. Test cricket did not start until 1877, prior to which teams would be labeled “England” or “an England XI”, and four of the brothers played in such teams.

Reference must be made to perhaps the greatest cricketer of all the brothers, Vyell Edward Walker, who took 10 wickets in an innings on three occasions. A great all rounder, he stood head and shoulders above all his contemporaries in the game he graced for so long. His knowledge and sound judgment were so universally respected, that he served for years on the M.C.C.

The United All England XI would come to do battle with the sixteen men of Southgate. It is wondrous to think crowds of up to 10,000 would flock to the Chapel Fields (now the Walker Ground) to witness these great matches. The youngsters would be in the ground early for a good position. Admission was free. The famous brass band of the 2nd Life Guards provide the music.

Christ Church, and the Walker Ground opposite, still serve to remind us today of the benevolence, long after their passing. They were wealthy benefactors who cared for the village and its people and came to be highly respected, not only for their generosity, but also for their willing involvement in community life.