Club History

The first cricket club to be played in the village of Farnley dates as far back as 1892 when locals would play against each other in Farnley Wood. From these early knockabouts Farnley Iron Works was founded in 1926, a team made up of local people who played friendly matches at Harpers Farm within the village. Games were played here for a number of years until, due to the village being undermined by rich seams of coal, iron and stone, the ground literally collapsed beneath the players.

From this introduction you can see that Farnley village has a long association with the wonderful game of cricket. It wasn't until 1952 when Mr Sid Hudson approached the local community association for funding that New Farnley cricket club was formed. With added funds from the old Iron Works team Leeds City Council were approached for a playing venue. The venue we were offered was the splendid Farnley Hall Park. It was not unusual at first to have the odd cow at square leg or a couple of sheep wondering past the slip cordon. With tea taken under the large tree and the changing facilities being behind the hedge at the top of the park New Farnley Cricket Club was playing its first friendly matches.

In 1953 New Farnley joined the Yorkshire Central league and over the next 13 years won promotion to the top division and claimed 4 cup final victories. In 1966 the club joined the Dales Council and built up a reputation as one of the strongest teams within that league structure winning numerous league titles and cup competitions over the years. In 1995 New Farnley's dream was realised when, after years of hard work from dedicated committee members, we had our very own ground and clubhouse opened by Ashley Metcalfe.

Yorkshire select XI versus a New Farnley XI marked this historic occasion for the club and its members.

It was also in 1995 that the club joined the Central Yorkshire league. Within the last few years we have progressed to the level that both our first and second teams now play in the premier league of the CYL. Our third and fourth teams still play in the Dales Council League and we also run three junior teams. With the completion last year of a brand new score box and an ever increasing membership New Farnley Cricket Club is now recognised as being a club with a very bright future. This is reflected by the fact that New Farnley are one of only two teams representing England in the Durham University Millennium Cup later this year comprising of teams from nine different nations.