60 years at the crease for Victoria Cricket Club

The club was formed in Lord Lurgan Park, Victoria Street, in the summer of 1954 by a number of factory workers and local cricket enthusiasts from the area.

One of the founding members was Glenavon football legend, Jackie Denver, who played cricket for Victoria for over 30 years.

Fellow Glenavon player, the late Jimmy Jones, also played for Victoria on occasion, in the early years of the club.

In the early 1970’s the club moved to Gordon Playing Fields where it was able to field two teams for the first time.

Victoria won the old Section V in 1978 and were duly promoted to Section IV. They finished third in 1979 and were again promoted, to Section III, as the First Division was being restructured into four larger sections. They held their own in Section III until 1987, when they finished last and were relegated to Section IV.

In the early 1990s an opportunity arose to move the club to the more picturesque surroundings of their present ground, Lurgan Park.

The club has been based there ever since enjoying their cricket on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

The club has prospered in recent years, fielding a 3rd XI since sides since 2010, for the only time in its history.

Victoria celebrated promotion to NCU Section 2 last season, winning their last six matches to finish in second place, following a dramatic last weekend which involved victories away to the PSNI and Donaghadee, to beat the latter to a promotion place.

Victoria will celebrate their 60th anniversary with a gala dinner in Brownlow House.

Anniversary booklets will be produced for the occasion, and will be available to purchase, along with club ties.

Tickets for the event are priced at £25 and can be purchased from Gregory Mullin (07714696841).