History

Kenton Cricket Club was formerly known as the Athenions Sports Club and was established in 1900. In 1921 the club moved to the present site from Willesden and rented the land from Mr T Smith of Kenton Farm. Entry to the ground was through a gate in Kenton Lane, as Kenton Park Road had not been laid down. The Cricket facilities then consisted of one square and an army hut and the section ran two elevens.

In the early 1920’s Mr T Nash acquired much of the land in Kenton including our ground but the Chairman of the club at the time, Captain Pauley persuaded Nash to sell him the land used by the Athenions Sports Club. In 1927 came the name change to Kenton Cricket Club. The 1920’s saw Kenton go from strength to strength and develop as a force to be reckoned with through the 20's and 30's. In 1938 Captain Pauley sold our site to Mr Jack Brazier who was not only the local dairyman, but also a very good club member. It is fair to say that Jack was a very benevolent landlord.

Cricket continued at the club during World War 2 with two elevens being fielded each week. The standard improved with the recruitment of several new players, particularly W.B Morris who achieved the first club double in 1943 with 1,176 runs and 101 wickets. Further Kenton CC became a good venue for charity cricket matches, in 1943 a first class side skippered by Jack Duston played out first eleven, with all funds raised going towards the Red Cross. Over 2,000 spectators watched the match which yielded an incredible £853, a record for any one day game including those played by the first class counties.

After the war, the playing strength of the club grew even more. In 1945 Kenton CC entertained the British Empire Eleven on behalf of the Red Cross and another record was set with receipts of £963. In 1947, Mr Brazier had sublet the ground to another induvidual, a dispute between this person and Kenton CC then saw the cricket section teams wander for two years.

The most famous benefit game took place at Kenton in 1949 for Denis Compton. A full Middlesex team scored 405 - 7 declared to which Kenton replied with 254. Denis Compton scored 177 in 69 minutes including 17 sixes. Benefit games took place for Sid Brown, Leslie Compton, Alec Thompson, Harry Sharp, Jack Robertson, Alan Moss and Tony Lock. In 1951 the club improved its relationship with Mr. Brazier.

The arrangement of an annual rent was started by a 5-year lease guaranteed by six club trustees. By now Kenton CC was running four elevens on both Saturdays and Sundays. In 1955 came the first match against the Cross Arrows at Lords. Kenton chasing 231 scored 233 - 4 with Leslie Dewin 152*. Peter Rogers was one of the clubs outstanding cricketers and on the weekend of May 25th 1957 become the first to score centuries on consecutive days. The Steak and Kidney supper has great tradition and in the 1950’s attracted many guests from Surrey and Middlesex County Cricket Clubs.

In 1960 the club bought the ground from Mr Brazier which secured the future of the club. Throughout the 60's, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s the club progressed with the formation of the colts section, yielding many quality club cricketers and became the club it is today.