It is with much regret that we announce that Chaddesden Cricket Club has ceased to exist. At a pre-season meeting they decided that they had insufficient players to fulfil their fixtures and they have written to the Derbyshire County League withdrawing from Division 3A. Last season it was evident that they were struggling for players because they withdrew their second team from the League.

Chaddesden Cricket Club was founded in the middle of the 19th century, with a ground on Chaddesden Park which was then a private estate.They were always a strong club, but achieved their greatest success after joining the Notts & Derby Border League in 1952, winning the Bayley Cup in 1955 and 1961 when this was the premier cup of the League.

One reason for their success was that they had such a good youth policy, with strong sides at under 13, under 15 and under 18. Amongst their youngsters were former England player Harold Rhodes and Derbyshire opener Tony Borrington. In the days when the football season was shorter than it is now Chaddesden often contained members of Derby County, including Raich Carter, Jack Nicholas and Johnny Richmond. They were also served by some well known local cricketers such as Reg and Michael Harris, father and son, Ted Hough, Dave Kerry, Graham Clarke, Norman West, Dick Pickering, Colin Brown, Doug Ferneyhough and many others.

After Chaddesden was absorbed into the Borough of Derby the City Council took over the management of Chaddesden Park and the facilities at the cricket ground greatly improved. It is now an excellent ground and it is to be hoped that it will continue to be used for local cricket. This season next door neighbours Alvaston & Boulton will have part use of the ground for their third team and no doubt other clubs will be interested because there is a shortage of good cricket grounds in the area.

As a result of Chaddesden's withdrawal Division 3A of the County League will comprise eleven teams, and their opponents in the first round of the Bailey Cup, Belper Meadows, will have a bye.

If there is a moral in this sad tale, it is that clubs must take their youth programme seriously in order to survive. It is significant that clubs with good youth facilities are flourishing and are expanding.