Cricket’s back in Bosham after 16 years

Its 16-year absence came to an end on a joyous day when West Sussex Wanderers were the visitors to the new ground in Delling Lane.

In 1999, Bosham Cricket Club were ordered to stop hitting sixes or stop playing altogether.

Despite national media coverage and support from the cricket community, a ball was never bowled again at the old ground located by the farm shop. Now the field is used for grazing horses.

The club became nomadic and survived by playing games at Oaklands Park and Itchenor Park.

A small and determined group of committee members never gave up hope of bringing cricket back to Bosham. Despite many setbacks they continued to achieve milestones.

The club secured the lease on land south of their old ground, battled with the planners to win building permission on appeal for a pavilion, secured community funding from the the Co-operative and created a lovely cricket ground from a ploughed field.