Historic cricket club celebrates 175th anniversary

One of Scotland's oldest cricket clubs is making plans to celebrate its 175th anniversary.

Selkirk Cricket Club (SCC) was founded on 6 May 1851, after the game was introduced to the town by two Yorkshire engineers who had travelled north to install looms in the local tweed mills.

The two men - known only in the records as Humber and Newbury - managed to band together enough townsfolk who were interested in the sport to form a team.

That same year Selkirk played its first official home match against Scotland's oldest cricket club, Kelso, with the visitors claiming victory. Now the Philiphaugh club is looking ahead to commemorate a landmark year.

Marking major anniversaries with formal dinners has long been part of Selkirk's tradition, with celebrations previously held for its 50th, 75th, 100th and 150th anniversaries.

Alongside that, a number of special fixtures and competitions are planned – including the revival of events that have been lost to time.

One of those is the Factory Cup, once contested by workers from Selkirk's mills on the Philiphaugh outfield.

The club is also commissioning a commemorative gin to mark the occasion.

Club president John Smail expects a busy year ahead.

"We'd like to have good full crowds down here," he said.

"There's lots of things going on, so it's all set for a great year.

SCC is the 10th oldest continuously-running cricket club in Scotland.

Its early years were something of a nomadic existence, with matches played on what is now the Victoria Park, and later at the Riverside Mill.

In 1871, the club faced a serious threat when Selkirk Town Council announced plans to build factories on their field at the time.

It was then club president Sir John Murray of Philiphaugh who stepped in, offering land to secure the club's future.

Selkirk moved to Philiphaugh that same year – where it has remained ever since.

The club president believes Philiphaugh is central to the club's identity.

"It is one of the most scenic grounds in Scotland," he said.

"Clubs that have never visited before, they say just what an amazing ground it is."

One of the most notable figures to play at Selkirk was not a professional cricketer.

In 1904, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – creator of Sherlock Holmes – captained Marylebone Cricket Club during a match at Philiphaugh, scoring 35 runs.

To mark one of the club's most historic fixtures, a special anniversary match has now been arranged against the Authors XI – a team once associated with Doyle.

"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a great sportsman," said John.

"We're really looking forward to having that match as part of the celebrations."

John has been involved with Selkirk Cricket Club for nearly 50 years, having played for the club in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He credits the club's longevity to the commitment of volunteers and supporters.

"Things have changed over time, but we still have a loyal base," he said.

"It's not as busy as it once was, but everyone mucks in."

Despite wider challenges, the club remains competitive – winning the Border T20 Cup for the first time last season.

John also points to a strong youth section and hopes the club can field a senior women's team in the future.

"We try and do our best to get the young players coming through but it is a struggle sometimes, but cricket's a great game," he said.

"We've got a good youth girls' section, and we're hopeful that a senior women's team isn't too far away."