Sparta CC History

Following England’s resounding success in the 2005 Ashes Test series, a motley bunch of government Civil Servants working in central Newcastle found in a dark corner of their office a bag containing some old cricket equipment from a team that existed in the early 1990s but had long since ceased to be. Intrigued, they ventured forth into what was for many their first affray into the strange new world of competitive (of sorts) cricket. Although some of the group were regular cricketers, some had never played before, and some found themselves dusting off clothing that had only been seen many years previously - and perhaps should have stayed locked away…

Rising ages, expanding waistlines and footballing injuries were also factors in venturing forth, thus we were not the most elegantly attired, tactically astute or technically competent initially. But we didn’t let that put us off, and it didn’t take long before our Government departmental team were taking on the might of Newcastle City Council, Easington District Council and the Big Lottery Fund. Additional contacts were made with local cricketing stalwarts such as the Mallards. In 2007, with a rising number of local friendly matches and a developing squad from outside its original Government department base, the tentative (some may say bold) decision to join the Midweek Cricket League was taken.

So, as they say, this is just the end of the beginning.

[N.B. If you really are interested Sparta derives from SPort And RecreaTional Association]