COUNTY CRICKET GROUND – CRICKETERS, 1 GRACE ROAD (SOUTH WEST)

The Victorian Cricket Ground Hotel, used for and by cricketers of Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

During the 1870s the ground came to be first in use by the county club, including a game against the Australians in 1878. Prior to this, games were played at its headquarters at the Wharf Street ground, until its closure circa 1860.

The Cricket Ground originally had a day licence for when games were played but on the 27th of September 1879, an application to the Borough Brewster Sessions was made to extend it to seven days.

A licence also existed at the ground refreshment rooms for spectators on Aylestone Road from 1900 until 1939, when the military authorities requisitioned it for the war effort. After the war the licence was not renewed.

Complicated application for a full licence, Leicester Chronicle September 1900.

The interior of the Cricket Ground Hotel, mid 1960s.

This was not to last much longer as Everards, in their wisdom, decided to demolish the old building for a newer look pub, the Cricketers, in 1974.

photo credit Everards

The Cricketers over the years was the victim of unwanted publicity.

March 2011, from Leicester Mercury

On the 7th of July 2019, saw a pitched battle with baseball bats, damaging parts of the pub. Police cordoned it off after ten people were taken to hospital after a suspected chemical attack.  Five people were arrested.

2023 Photo by Eddy Hall

The Cricketers is still very much open for business as of writing.

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