Date of Sign Unveiling: 9 May 2026
Speakers: Arun Jentrick, President, London Cricket Club 2026, Lindsay Kernohan, Historic Sites Committee
Location: 1225 Adelaide St. N, North London Athletic Fields, Cricket Pitch
History
Founded in 1856, the London Cricket Club (LCC) is one of the city's oldest sports organizations. Tracing its roots back to the arrival of cricket in the city in the 1830s, the club is a cornerstone of the local community, boasting a legacy of over 170 years of sporting heritage.
Following the introduction of the first cricket set from England in 1835 by lawyer Henry Becher, the LCC was officially established in 1856. In 1867 Prime Minister John A. Macdonald declared cricket to be Canada's first official national sport.
The club's first pitch was located in the southwest corner of the military grounds, which was officially designated as Victoria Park in 1874.
The club joined the Ontario Cricket Association in 1889.
Throughout the 20th century, LCC hosted prestigious matches, including a notable 1967 game against the world-renowned Marylebone Cricket Club and a 1977 fixture against the U.K.-based Lord's Taverners at Fanshawe Park.
In 1987, LCC forged a lasting partnership with the West Indian Cricket Club. The club expanded significantly and now operates multiple squads (such as the Titans, Tigers, Warriors, and Mavericks) playing under the London Cricket League.
In December 2024, a devastating fire destroyed the club's historic storage shed at Northridge Fields, resulting in the loss of nearly 170 years of memorabilia, photos, and trophies.
In May 2026, the London Public Library unveiled its 78th historic plaque at the North London Athletic Fields to commemorate the deep-rooted legacy of the LCC and its contribution to the Forest City.
