Re-building after the war
The First World War meant that both Addiscombe CC and the Mary Magdalene CC had been forced to close down in 1915. Addiscombe CC’s home on Radcliffe Rd ground deteriorated and was used for grazing livestock.

However, in October 1919, local cricket enthusiasts held a meeting and decided to re-start cricket in the local area. At that first meeting there were 6 members of the Mary Magdalene CC and just 1 from the original pre-war Addiscombe CC. They two clubs decided to merge due to their restricted resources and because neither had a home ground, they decided to just play away matches in the summer of 1920.

'Addiscombe Wanderers'
The newly re-formed and united club therefore called themselves ‘Addiscombe Wanderers’ for these seasons. They would formally adopt the historic name of ‘Addiscombe CC’ at their AGM in 1922. H.E. ‘Joe’ Peirce was elected Treasurer and would later captain the First XI for many years. He was to play a critical and central role in the future life of ACC.

Searching for a home ground was a priority for the club but the expense and availability of land was a major obstacle. However, in 1924, the lease of a ground adjacent to the former Radcliffe Rd ground was made available. Joe Peirce, on behalf of ACC, entered into negotiations with the Whitgift Foundation who owned the freehold.

'Sandilands' comes into being
A lease for 7 years at £60 per annum was agreed. The club bought a pavilion, deck chairs, mowing machine and roller. To cover such expense a private company was established called ‘Addiscombe Sports Club Limited’ and shares were sold for £1 each.

The ground became known as ‘Sandilands’ after the road which was later built in the 1930s which ran from Addiscombe Rd up to the east side of the ground. Incidently, at a similar time, Radcliffe Road was extended and the road now runs through what was the square of ACC’s former home. The pristine front-lawns on either side of the current Radcliffe Road are what remains of the old ground.

Tennis controversy
The new lease involved a controversial merger with the Radcliffe Rd Tennis Club. The cricketers were cautious about such a move, fearing it would create future power-struggles.

But a compromise was agreed that the membership of the tennis club would be limited to 32. It was also agreed that no tennis was allowed to be played during the time when a cricket match was on.

Finally, after long years of being a side which only played away matches, Addiscombe CC had a new home.

First matches
The first match at the new ground was planned for April 1925 and the famous England and Surrey cricketer, Jack Hobbs was invited to bring a team to play Addiscombe. Sadly, terrible weather prevented the match from going ahead. But Addiscombe CC was up and running in the ground where it remains to this day.

Joe Peirce captained the first XI and was a key figure behind all of the club’s developments. On the 27th June 1925, Reg Playford scored the first half-century for the club in its new home v Bexleyheath CC.

The roaring twenties
As well as its cricket, ACC became known for its lively social scene.

In 1924 saw the first ‘annual dinner, dance and cabaret’ held at the Greyhound Hotel in Croydon. This regularly sold over 250 tickets and was described by the Croydon Advertiser as ‘brilliantly successful…a red letter night in the social history of this popular and up-to-date organisation’.

The article refers to Joe Pierce as follows:

“The popular captain, Mr H.E. Peirce was, he said, still a handsome young bachelor, a thing that puzzled him considerably but he understood that he was so wedded to cricket that he had actually put off any other match for it….Acknowledging the very cordial reception, Mr Pierce also thanked all who had helped the handful of men who had revived the club. They now had 60 members, were able to run 3 teams and their ambition and hope was to live up to and maintain the traditions of the old Addiscombe club.”

As we will see, Joe Peirce and his cricketing comrades certainly did that…

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Next instalment: Settling into Sandilands, 1931-1952

We have copies of the book 'Addiscombe Cricket Club: a history' available for a £5 donation to club funds. Please email AddiscombeCC@Outlook.com if you would like a copy.