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Chester le Street Cricket Club
The first recorded match involving Chester le Street Club was in 1834 against Durham City – with then winners to receive ten shillings: the match was rained off but was later replayed at Plawsworth, for an increased prize – no information is available as to who took the money!
The first cricket field in Chester le Street, in 1866, was at Mordue's Field, Crown Farm, Ropery Lane – the town's by-pass now runs through the middle of this field. The next ground was on what is now Red Rose Terrace. The move to the present location took place in 1866.
One early match, in 1876, records that Durham City were all out for 9 runs!
In 1892, Chester le Street won the County Challenge Cup, beating Bishop Auckland in the final thus gaining a place in the Durham County Senior League, Northern Division, in 1893; this division consisted of Chester le Street, Philadelphia , North Durham, South Shields, Sunderland and Whitburn.
Following a spell in the Tyneside Senior League, Chester le Street transferred to the Durham Senior in 1908, losing their first game to Durham City by 3 runs. In 1920 and 1922 the 1st XI won the league and the players were presented with solid gold medals, provided from public funds.
In 1927, Durham County played New Zealand at Ropery Lane , and subsequent first class visitors have included Surrey, Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Essex and Nottinghamshire, while Test class visitors have been Pakistan and South Africa .
 
The Square The Clubhouse,Bar & Lounge
The Ropery Lane ground was purchased in 1948, with the then president Colonel J Turnbull, doubling the amount collected from members to make up the £1,000 purchase price. At a general meeting in 1957, by a majority of one it was agreed to start a bar in the club – takings for the first full year, 1958 were £1058.00. In 1904, a new two storey pavilion was built to supersede the single storey wooden structure. This old pavilion was demolished in 1966 to make way for the current building, although some of the walls of the old building still remain as part of the new – the cost was £17,000. The lounge extension was added in 1972 (see left).
Notable professionals over the years have included local cricketers Jackie Keeler and Russell Inglis, Indian Test cricketer Dilip Doshi, and former Pakistani vice-captain and current International Test referee Wasim Raja. Most recently, Indians Santosh Jedhe and Mandar Sane have been club professionals.
The 1st XI were Senior League champions in 1920, 1922, 1969, 1980, 1981 and 1983; since 1962, they have been runners-up seven times, the latest being in 1999, their last season in the Durham Senior League. The 2nd XI have won the Senior League championship on nine occasions.
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