With the sport of cricket growing in popularity in London, it may surprise many to learn that London’s first cricket club was formed 170 years ago.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Historic Sites Committee of the London Public Library Board and the London Cricket Club unveiled the Library's 78th historic plaque, honouring the history of the London Cricket Club. This unveiling took place at the cricket pitch at the North London Athletic Fields as part of Opening Day for the London Cricket League’s 2026 Season, an event that attracts cricket clubs and teams from across the area.
As Dr. Arun Jentrick, President of the London Cricket Club shared at the unveiling
Over generations, this club has brought together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and communities through a shared love for cricket. What began many decades ago continues today as a growing and diverse cricket community that reflects the spirit of inclusion, friendship, and community connection in our city.
This plaque is not only a recognition of the club’s long history, but also a recognition of the many players, volunteers, families, supporters, and community members who helped build and sustain this legacy over the years.
Lindsay Kernohan, a member of the Historic Sites Committee, spent several years researching the long history of of cricket in London, collaborating with members of the London Cricket Club. For Lindsay, this plaque represents a shared commitment to preserving local history, to making history visible and accessible to everyone.
This plaque stands as a reminder that history isn’t just something in books; it’s all around us, in the places we pass every day.
In a way, cricket can be understood as a lens through which to view the history of London, Ontario. A beloved sport, introduced by early settlers in the 1830s, a community tradition that was maintained across decades and centuries, and now, enjoying a resurgence of popularity as the city itself continues to grow and develop.
A Brief History of the London Cricket Club
The game of cricket was introduced to London in 1835 when Henry Becher brought the first cricket set to the city from England. Formed in 1856, the London Cricket Club (LCC) located its first cricket pitch in the southwest corner of military grounds, later designated as "Victoria Park" by the Governor General in 1874.
The LCC joined the Ontario Cricket Association in 1889 and hosted notable matches throughout its history, including a 1967 game against the Marylebone Cricket Club and a 1977 match against the Lord's Taverners at Fanshawe Park. The LCC formed a partnership with the West Indian Cricket Club in 1987.
The Club moved between various locations until 2017, when the City of London built a new pitch at the North London Athletic Fields. This has been LCC’s primary playing ground since then, along with Northridge Fields, where the club also plays matches and trains regularly.
About the Historic Sites Committee of the London Public Library Board
Since 1970, the Historic Sites Committee has erected 77 plaques commemorating buildings and sites of historical and architectural merit in London. The purpose of the plaques is to inform Londoners and visitors about the city's history, to interest Londoners in the preservation and appreciation of their heritage and to maintain an easily accessible archive of research materials in the Ivey Family London Room at London Public Library's Central Library. The plaques erected by the Historic Sites Committee are for information purposes only and do not indicate heritage designation.
Members of the Historic Sites Committee are volunteers who have an expertise or interest in local history and are appointed by the London Public Library Board. Funding for the work of the Historic Sites Committee is raised through grants, community contributions and donations. The Historic Sites Committee welcomes suggestions for plaques from members of the community.
Learn more about the Committee and find a listing of historic sites marked by the Committee on our website here.