Background
THE FIRST 50 YEARS 1888-1938
CAULFIELD CRICKET CLUB was founded in 1888 and has played on its present site since inception. The present ground was originally swamp land. Twenty foot high swamp oaks and water rushes had to be cleared when the ground was being formed,and the first pitch was formed of rolled crushed rock.
The Club first joined the Kelly-Knox Association and won its first premiership in 1894/95. The Kelly-Knox Premiership Shield is still in the possession of the Club. Listed amongst the players was one 15 year old who was destined to be a legend in Australian Cricket Records, both as an allround cricketer and as a TEST CAPTAIN.
The boy in question was none other than Warwick W. Armstrong. After playing at Caulfield, he transferred to South Melbourne and later to the Melbourne Cricket Club. At the time of his selection as a player in the Australian Eleven, he was one of the youngest players that had represented Australia in Test Cricket.
In addition to the Club having a team in the Kelly-Knox Association, the Club also fielded a team in the Brighton-Moorabbon Competition, in which it played right up to 1906, including two premierships and one runner-up in three successive years. This team sufferred only one defeat in three years, and this was against Elsternwick.
The club also participated in other competitions such as Boyle & Scott's, and the Brighton Union. The year 1906 was a red letter one for the club, as it was in that year that the first turf wicket was laid down, by and under the supervision of the officers and experts of the Melbourne Cricket Club, at a cost of several hundred pounds.
In the season 1906/07, the Club became affiliated with the Victorian Cricket Association. Under the aegis of the V.C.A. the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association was formed and commenced in season 1908/09. The Club has played in this association ever since. In 1909/10 teams were also entered in a amtting competition conducted by the Caulfield Districts Cricket Association.
In 1912, Mr. W.J. Rayson, to later attain State honours, played at the club until 1920. he then transferred to Hawthorn-East Melbourne District Club. In 1925 he was promoted to the Victorian XI and ended his playing career some years later back at Caulfield.
The year 1925 saw the passing of the old pavilion which had been the centre of the Club's activities for some forty years. On 23rd January 1929, the new pavilion was opened.
It was not until 23 years after the club affiliated with the V.C.A. that First Xi premiership honours were won. This was Back to back premiers in 1931/32 and the 1932/33, which occurred again in 1997/98 and 1998/99.
The Second 50 Years 1938-1988
The second half of the Club's centenary began with the 1939/40 season, in the midst of the Second World War. Many club members had enlisted in the fighting forces and as with many other organisations during the War, activities were curbed. In the 1939/40 season, none of the Club's three teams were represented in the finals.
Regular fixtures such as the V.S.D.C.A. Easter Tour and Country Week Competition had been abandoned due to the War. There were no Club Annual Reports printed throughout the period of the War, and it was not until 1945/46 that further Annual Reports and Balance Sheets were made available for distribution.
Throughout the early forties, the Club undoubtedly relied on fewer numbers to continue the operations of the Club and in December '41 and January '42, committee meetings were unable to continue due to failure to form a quorum and the business of the Club was transacted by the few who were present. Many priveleges were granted to enlisted members at this time such as honorary membership and waiving of normal registration requirements in order to allow them to play whilst on leave from the forces. It is a fitting tribute to those who toiled hard in difficult times that the Club continued to operate throughout the war years.
By 1942 the V.C.A. had allowed the minimum club membership number to reduce from 50 to 25 and the necessary income to reduce from 50 to 20 pounds. Fixtures were also completed against the Army and the Navy throughout this period and the financial management of the Club would have been a challenge in itself, given the responsibility of all members of the community to eliminate so many luxuries.
Season 43/44 consisted of all one day fixtures and the club felt obliged to invest part of its funds in war loans. Also at this time the Caulfield Cricket Club Social Club was officially formed.
The post war years commenced with a third eleven being re-established entering into "A" grade of the Caulfield District Cricket Association. Many features of a regular season were reinstated and names such as Jim Reilley and Harold Little became prominent as both players and administrators. In season 46/47, Harold Little was especially congratulated on his 17 slip catches for the second eleven, evidence of a talent that was still being displayed 30 years later. Also recorded in the Annual Report that season was an obituary for former CAulfield player and
Australian Test Captain, Warwick Armstrong, who had represented the club from 1894 to 1897.
The name of Carmody came into prominence in 1946 when Kevin played his first season of Sub-District cricket and in season 48/49 the club appointed Max Rayson as playing coach , the son of ex Caulfield great Bill Rayson. Bill, who not only played such a prominent role in the Club's premierships in the early thirties, but had also represented Victoria at Sheffield Shield level. Max was also an ex Victorian Shield player. It was an important year for the club with the establishment of the fourth eleven and representation in the Sub District finals for the first time in 14 years when the second eleven made the semi finals only to be beaten by Coburg. A young M.K. (Keith) Walker was also acknowledged for a fine bowling performance against Brunswick and this was to herald many seasons of oustanding performance with the ball from the Club's premier pace bowler.
The club entered the fifties by again fielding 4 senior elevens and established a junior eleven for the first time. Balwyn, Oakleigh, ormond and Sunshine were admitted to the V.S.D.C.A. and our second eleven were consistently good performers around this time without managing to secure a pennant. Mr H.A.L. Binder continued to occupy the Presidential Chair but the Club lost a long time supporter and member when D.H. (Dave) Fox passed away in 1951. Mr. Fox, who amongst other cricketing duties, had been the official Victorian Scorer for many years and the shield for competition between Ormond and Caulfield still carries his name.
In March 1952, a fire completely destroyed the Club Pavilion and along with it, many valuable records and memorabilia were lost in addition to the majority of the Club's assets.
By the 54/55 season the Club had advamced further by being able to field four senior elevens on turf .
Max Rayson had retired as Captain Coach after the 51/52 season and Kevin Carmody, who had returned from a stint at Prahran, was appointed Captain of the Club.
By the commencement of the 54/55 season, a new pavilion had been erected. Ex Richmond player, Max Wishart, had been appointed Captain Coach and Kevin Carmody had become the first Caulfield player to score in excess of 500 first eleven runs in consecutive seasons whilst continuing to be regarded as the "Prince of Keepers" in Sub District Cricket.
The fifties were completed with little on field success and after the first and second elevens both finished last in 59/60, the club realised the importance of finding a suitable coach, after the retirement of Max Wishart at the end of the 58/59 season.
The sixties saw the appointment of anotehr ex Richmond District player in Alan Donohue in 63/64. Although the first few seasons under Alan were not rewarded by finals participation, the effect of his leadership and on field example was evident by season 65/66 and at this stage the Club was performing far better on field. In this season all elevens had improved significantly and our under age team won a premiership and then made it two in a row in 66/67.
The following season saw the most successful period by the club for a long time with the third eleven winning the premiership, the first senior flag since 1933. The first eleven made the semis and the fourth eleven were runners-up.The second eleven finished one game out of the four.
1968/69 saw the first and second elevens miss the finals, but again the thirds, fourths and juniors made the final four, albeit without a flag. A fifth senior eleven was also formed in this season.
Alan Donohue agian led the first eleven into a final series in 69/70 only to be defeated by the stong Ormond team. The Club was maintaining its standing as one of the strongest clubs and the acquisition of players with V.C.A. experience was paying dividends. Also in this season, the third, fourth and fifth elevens joined the Eastern Suburbs Cricket Association, where they played until the formation of Sub District thirds and fourths in 1997/98.
Season 70/71 saw the third eleven making the finals for the third consecutive year only to lose the final, while the fifth eleven were defeated in the semi.
Although onfield results were not startling in the early seventies, the Club continued to establsih itself itself off the field with such ventures as the reciprocal visits with South Australian Club, Payneham, and it also increased efforts in locating a suitable playing coach following the retirement of Alan Donohue. In this regard the Club had great expectations when North Melbourne Cricket Club stalwart, Len Peterson, organised and led the hardest pre-season seen at Caulfield in preparation for the 1973/74 season. Unfortunately, North Melbourne refused to clear Len and and an appeal to the V.C.A. was dismissed.
The Club administrators were not to be denied andtheir persistence paid off when North Melbourne cleared Len Peterson for the 1974/75 season. The new Coach was rewarded with immediate success when he led the first eleven into the group final after defeating Malvern in the semi. Ormond proved too strong in the final but this marked the start of the most successful on field era of the club right up to the present day.
The first eleven again made the semi-finals in 1975/76 and were runners up in 1976/77. The Club's third first eleven premiership was achieved the following year in 1977/78. With the second eleven making the semis, the club had reached a pinnacle and off field success was reflected in the response to all social functions.
Season 1978/79 saw the first, second and third elevens making the finals with the third eleven winning the premiership. The sad passing of E.N. (eric) Hendy, past president and wonderful contributor to the Club for over half a century, was also recorded at this time.
The highlight of 1979/80 was the premiership wins by our two junior teams and the arrival of new coach, Ian Kimpton, himself a product of Caulfield juniors prior to a long stint with the St Kilda Cricket Club. The second eleven were the only senior team to make the finals and were defeated in the semi by Camberwell.
In season 1980/81, the first eleven again won the flag and this was achieved even though Ian Kimpton had to resign his coaching position mid season due to work committments. Fortunately, Ian continued playing and was to play an integral part in the finals. Mike Smith assumed the coaching duties and provided strong leadership. Both the U14's & U16's also made the finals and were runners up.
In 1981/82, the senior elevens did not taste success, though the U14's and U16's both won premierships, therefore completing the most successful era for the Club's junior team history.
Harold Little completed his tenth season as President in 1982/83 and at this stage was considered to have had an unequalled contribution to to the Caulfield Cricket Club with 43 years of active service which had consisted of holding every important administrative position and a wonderful playing record. Unfortunately our senior teams missed the finals but the addition of an Under 12 side improved our junior ranks.
In 1983/84, Doug Gott was appointed Captain Coach, another Ex District player to have represented Victoria at Sheffield Shield level. The senior teams improved their performance with the 2nd XI winning their semi final only to lose the group final. In 1984/85, the 1st XI were runners-up in the Group Final. The 5th XI also made the semi-finals. In 1985/86, the 1st XI again made the finals but lost the Semi against Sunshine. Both the 1st & 2nd XIs made the semis in season 1986/87.
The Centenary season, 1987/88, was full of expectation, but team success eluded us. The hightlight of the season was Brian Harper smashing the Club 1st XI run aggregate record with 702 runs. Brian Morrison was in his fourth season as President and Jack Sheehan had returned after a two year coaching stint in the E.S.C.A. to lead the Club as Captain Coach.
The above is an edited/amended extract of the article compiled by Geoff Reilley for the Centennial Edition of the Club's Annual Report 1988-89.
If you have any contributions to this page, please contact Geoff Reilley (Club Historian).
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