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History |
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Sport in Bexleyheath (which at the time was a town noted for its respectability, small shops, villas, good old houses and a sprinkling of taverns with a population of 3,500) began in 1870 when the appropriately named ‘Bexleyheath Cricket Club’ was formed. In the initial 50 years the club played at various grounds in the area including where the civic offices now stand, Crook Log and a recreation ground behind Christ Church. In 1923 the cricket club then moved to its present ground at Park View, and because of an increasing popularity in the sport of lawn tennis, ‘Bexleyheath Tennis Club’ was formed, and along with the cricket, the tennis section went under the original mother club name of ‘The Bexleyheath Cricket and Tennis Club’. During the 1930’s the whole club made good progress, and because now there were hockey and rugby sections the club was renamed ‘Bexleyheath Sports Club’. (Although the Rugby Section ended in 1934). The break-up of the old Welling Tennis Club meant that we were provided with several valued tennis players and other sections of the club continued to flourish (including a new table tennis section and a branch of the women’s league of health and beauty). The future however, looked less promising. In 1939, both ‘Bexleyheath Sports Club’ and the adjacent ‘Bexleyheath and Welling Football Club’ (now ‘Welling United Football Club’) received a notice to quit as agents acting for the landlords intended to sell the land and had contacted the council with this in mind. The club’s views were favorably met by the council and the local press showed support, but still the state of the club’s future was still left uncertain, until the Second World War began and there were more serious matters to be faced. The club continued through the war, and although tennis membership only consisted of about 20 people, the cricket field hosted matches against the British Empire XI, where many England and County players appeared and considerable sums were made for the Red Cross during the difficult war years. The Tennis and all the other sections at the club flourished after the war, Tennis membership increased to 80 people and included a waiting list to fill any vacancies. At the time there were two hard courts and two grass courts and the club was so active, a Rota board was introduced to ensure members received their fair share of tennis. American Tournaments were held once a month which proved to be very popular with the players and also large crowds were in attendance to watch the various cricket matches taking place alongside the courts, as these were times when few people owned a car and there were less other attractions available. Not only did the club flourish socially, there was success in competition as well; during the 1950’s and 1960’s the club enjoyed success in the North Kent and Kent County leagues, with several trophies being won in most years. Since the mid 1970’s the success of the club’s men section can be measured by the winning of the North Kent Premier Championship no less than twelve times in twenty years; a tribute to the depth of the section. However, on the 13th of August in 1975 the sports club as a whole suffered a major setback, as the original pavilion which had been standing for around 50 years was destroyed by a fire; leaving only the wooden changing and kitchen building which had been added in the 1960’s. The smaller building that survived then became the club’s sole home with the kitchen being converted into a small bar, but it was clear that the club could not survive in such cramped conditions and plans were made for a new pavilion. Hard work and enthusiasm from a mixed bag of the sports club’s members TO BE COMPLETED |
