Sussex Cricket celebrates 150 years at Hove

On Monday 27th June a special dinner, hosted by our President John Barclay, took place in the Long Room to celebrate 150 years at Hove.

150 years ago, in 1872, as properties were beginning to be developed on the seafront at Hove, Sussex County Cricket Club moved from its ground closer to the sea to what was then a farmer’s barley field 800 yards inland.

Speaking after the event, Sussex Chair, Jon Filby said: “It was a wonderful evening, we had a sell-out attendance of 82 guests and three fantastic speakers.

“Patrick Ferriday, co-author of “Field of Dreams” spoke vividly about the early history of our ground, and told the story of how it came to be our home and of WG Grace’s appearance in the first rain affected match in June 1872.

"Gary Wallis-Tayler, Director of Community Cricket, highlighted the use of the ground for community purposes, in particular for disability cricket and our annual inclusivity event, DIScoverABILITY Day.

“It was also a great privilege to hear from Clare Connor, who is President of the MCC and Chief Executive of the ECB, who spoke of her own personal love of our ground. Clare described it as one of five grounds in her life that were important to her, the first being her back garden!

“We were all so pleased that Mike, Clare’s father was able to join us too. He comes to Hove for most days of the cricket season and is one of our biggest supporters.

“Everyone who spoke did a great job in emphasising that although our ground is, of course, really important, it is the people who are a part of Sussex Cricket that make it what it is.”

Thank you to all of those who attended and contributed to making our 150 Years at Hove celebration a night to remember.

Field of Dreams by Patrick Ferriday and James Mettyear is available to purchase now online, or from the Club Shop.