Brigade Cricket Club is situated at Beechgrove, just off the Limavady Road in Londonderry. Originally located at the Brandywell, we moved in 1920 to Black’s Field, Glendermott Road and then in 1921 to Beechgrove where we have remained ever since. We field 2 Adult Teams, a Mid-Week Team and 3 Youth Teams (U14, U16 & U19). New members are always welcome whether as a player, supporter or socially.
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to all our visiting teams, players and officials. We hope you have a pleasant time at Beechgrove but not too pleasant though, for any of the teams we are playing!
History
Church Lads Brigade played their first competitive match in Division A of the North West Junior League on Saturday 15th May 1909, an away fixture against Lough Enagh. In a low scoring game Lough Enagh scored 58 and Church Lads Brigade scored 44. It was the 24th of July before the Church Lads secured their fist competitive victory in an away fixture against Edenreagh. Scoring 48 the Lads dismissed Edenreagh for 36 to record a 12 runs victory. In their first season they recorded three victories in total, finishing from bottom of the league.
W.Plews - groundsman 1920's
The Church Lads Brigade won their first trophy in 1914 when sharing the Junior A League with Ardmore and Sion Mills. Due to the First World War these three clubs were to hold the trophy until 1919 when local cricket resumed. A first Cup Final appearance for the Church Lads took place on Saturday 23rd August 1919 against City of Derry. The match was played at the Polo Field which is “next door” to the current ground at Limavady Road although the club did not actually move to Beechgroove until 1921. In a relatively low scoring game (City of Derry 58 and 89, Brigade 31 and 129 for 6) the Lads won by four wickets to claim a first Cup Final win.
In 1920 Church Lads Brigade were promoted to the Senior League. Unfortunately due to the civil unrest at the time many of the scheduled matches for the 1920 season were cancelled. Despite a much reduced fixtures programme the Church Lads finished second behind Sion Mills in the title race. One highlight of the season, however, was Willie McGarvey taking all ten wickets for fourteen runs in the first match of the season against Ardmore. Mr McGarvey was a stalwart of the Club for many years having been club captain from 1913 to 1943, and holding office as Secretary and President.
1921 Senior Cup Final Team
Church Lads Brigade made their first Senior Cup Final appearance in 1921 at Waterside grounds, the first final to be played at that venue, against Sion Mills. Brigade 120 and 122 defeated Sion Mills 123 and 76 by 43 runs.
Church Lads Brigade changed their name to Brigade in 1923. Their first trophy under the new name was the Junior League title which the 2nd XI won in 1924. Their first senior Trophy success was to come in 1930 when they won the ‘double’ defeating Waterside in the Cup Final at City of Derry and sharing the League title with Sion Mills.
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