From humble beginnings on a field off Grove Lane, to its many years just off Hallcroft roundabout, Retford Cricket Club (RCC) has been a much-loved part of the Retford town community. With fondly remembered activities to raise funds, including dances, bingo and the Sunday car boot sale, and with military help to mow the ground and paint the clubhouse during WWII, it is deeply rooted in the town’s social as well as sporting history.
Many people still think of the game as closer to those early decades: a sea of white clad men, having a gentle afternoon, with a break for a cuppa and sandwich. While this is still a much-enjoyed format, things have changed. Modern sporting equipment and safety features, and shorter formats such as T20 and The Hundred, including other interesting additions, have made cricket a far more dynamic, exciting and sporty game.
In 2025 RCC is proud to sport over 200 members representing a broad cross section of Retford society. The four senior mixed-gender teams, a women’s section, and junior teams all offer modern safeguarded and inclusive cricket and are supported by volunteer members in several associated roles. Imagine the looks on the faces of those original players who used horses for transport, if they could see what is on offer today!
With initiatives already in place to help everyone gain access to cricket and feel comfortable taking part, RCC welcomes suggestions about how it can continue to grow and improve.
Their fully licenced bar is available for hire. Add the barbecue and seasonal sunshine, there’s nowhere better to ‘touch grass’ in the summer months than at the family cricket club with the biggest and best beer garden in Retford.
Pop in for a warm welcome or follow on the socials to find out what RCC can offer you? Email enquiries.retfordcricketclub@gmail.com.