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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BRIGHTON CRICKET CLUB

 The first cricket match played in South Australia was held in 1838 at Thebarton and cricket was played in Brighton as early as 1848 at the opening of Calton’s Hotel. When the Brighton Cricket Club was formed is not known but there is record of a meeting of 26 members of the Club at the Thatched House Tavern (now the Brighton Hotel) on 19 October 1867.

 The Club really came into force in the 1890s when it was recognised as one of the foremost social bodies in the township, providing a variety of entertainment for the locals. The notorious Captain of England, Douglas Jardine of “bodyline’ fame, was a guest at one of the Club’s social functions in 1928. The Club adopted the colours of “Old Gold & Black” during the 1892/93 season.

 During the 1890s the Club played on a ground east of where the Brighton Hotel now stands. At some time between the turn of the century and the 1920s, the Club changed the location of its ground to an area near the current Brighton railway station at the end of Hartley Road. It is unclear when the current site was first utilised, although it was mentioned in the local newspaper, “The Guardian”, in 1929 that the ground and facilities were sub-standard and that a deputation from the Club had met with the Council.

 With the laying of a turf pitch on the Brighton Oval, the Club entered a team in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association in 1937, with a second side competing from 1946. During the years of World War II, the Club did not enter any competition but matches were held against sides from the various services.

 Brighton has produced many fine cricketers over the years and many have gone on to play at higher levels. Geoff Attenborough, Mike Haysman and Russell Parker in recent years have gone on to play the game at first class level. Allen Butcher, a junior at Brighton, returned to his birthplace of England and represented that country in Test Matches.

 Since the late 1950s, Brighton has competed with great success in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association, winning numerous premierships. The Club currently has 5 senior teams with the 1^st eleven competing in the Premier Grade. It also has 5 junior teams and is respected within the South Australian cricket community for its role in the development of juniors.

Reference:            Brighton Cricket Club, 1867 – 1993, I. Barnes (ed) 1993