TIBSHELF CRICKET CLUB 
Members of The DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE 
The beginnings of cricket at Tibshelf are wreathed in the mists of time, but it is possible to trace a Tibshelf Colliery team in the Derbyshire league in the 1890’s, and it is probable that competitive cricket was played earlier than that. It is however, certain that cricket has gone on without a break since then. Between the wars the colliery club fielded a team in the Bassetlaw League and the Notts and Derbyshire Collieries League. Between 1923 and 1926, the side included Alf Pope, one of the famous cricketing brothers, who later joined Derbyshire. This period ended with the closure of the second of the two pits in 1939 and the outbreak of war, although cricket was kept going by a few stalwarts playing under a number of titles, which culminated in the formation of a sports club with football, bowls, tennis and cricket sections. 
A move to return to the Collieries Alliance in 1948 came to nothing and an attractive programme of friendly matches formed the villages cricket for the next 25 years 
In 1973 two teams were entered into the Mansfield and District League and the 1st XI were joint champions in their first season. In 1976 the Club moved to the Notts and Derbyshire Border League which has gradually evolved into the present Derbyshire County Cricket League in which the Club’s two senior teams compete.
Present role of the club. 
In the early 1980’s the Club lost a large number of its senior members and it was left to its younger members to prevent the Club from disappearing. It is the bulk of these members that still form the main driving force of the Club today. 1990 saw the tremendous achievement of both teams ‘Champions’ of their respective divisions. A Development Plan has been put in place to encourage more young people to play cricket, and the club can now boast eight qualified coaches. This plan has also formed the basis of a number of ground improvements seen over the last few years including a new brick scorebox and mobile sightscreens. 
On the playing side the most recent success has been the first team winning the ‘Bayley Cup’ in 2000 by defeating Elvaston at Belper Meadows. The club continue to play their games on the Parish Playing Fields most Saturdays and Sundays in the Summer. In addition there are also Junior Teams playing Kwik Cricket, an under 15’s team and hopefully an under17’s for season 2000 to 2001. This year has also seen a very successful 6 a side knockout competition for local ‘non playing cricketers’ and it is hoped that this will become a regular event. Anyone interested in becoming more involved with the Club please contact Lindsay Tideswell on 0 1 7 7 3 5 9 0 3 6 2.
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