New plaque erected as north London cricket grounds chosen as 78th historic site in city

To recognize the history of cricket in London, a new plaque was unveiled at the North London Athletic Fields. CTV's Brent Lale explains.

The sport of cricket in the Forest City dates back nearly two centuries.

It’s believed the game was introduced to London, Ont. in 1835 when Henry Becher, a lawyer and politician, brought the first cricket set from England.

“The first international was played in Canada in 1844,” said Arun Jentrick, president of the London Cricket Club (LCC).

He continued, “Southern Ontario was part of it. Londoners came together, established a club in 1856. Since then, players from different countries have been coming here and playing. We are the only club in London have anything more than 11 nationalities playing together from South Asian, Caribbean, European and even Canadians are playing.”

To recognize the history of the sport in London, the Historic Sites Committee (HSC) of the London Public Library Board unveiled its 78th plaque at the North London Athletic Fields on Adelaide Street.

“It’s just a story that’s really critical to the history of London,” said Lindsay Kernohan, plaque researcher and member of the HSC. “I think it’s really a great way to show the history of London from this early sport that was brought here by settlers and it’s been, kept up. The tradition has been maintained for centuries now.”

The inscription on the plaque reads:

“The game of cricket was introduced to London in 1835 when Henry Becher brought the first cricket set to the city from England. Formed in 1856, the London Cricket Club (LCC) located its first cricket pitch in the southwest corner of military grounds, later designated as ‘Victoria Park’ by the Governor General in 1874. The LCC joined the Ontario Cricket Association in 1889 and hosted notable matches throughout its history, including a 1967 game against the Marylebone Cricket Club and a 1977 match against the Lord’s Taverners at Fanshawe Park. The LCC formed a partnership with the West Indian Cricket Club in 1987. The Club moved between various locations until 2017, when the City of London built a new pitch at the North London Athletic Fields. This has been LCC’s primary playing ground since then, along with Northridge Fields, where the club also plays matches and trains regularly.”

Debbie Judge-Chappell comes from a family of Jamaican cricketers.

“From my father [Gord Farquharson] talking and telling, he came here, met a few guys, and they realized there was no Cricket club in London, and they started the cricket club,” said Chappell.

“They built a little shack down at Fanshawe Park. They started there, and then they got larger and they built a bigger place where they played teams from all over the world. My great grandfather died bowling. He brought his arm up and had a heart attack. He fell dead right on the pitch,” she added.

The sport has seen a resurgence in London. Four years ago, a third cricket grounds were established to join the one at North London Athletic Fields and the other at Silverwoods Arena.

“We need more grounds because in 10 years ago we had only one pitch,” said Jentrick.

“There are more than 2,000 players in London and LCC has around 200 members. There are many other clubs playing cricket in London as well as leatherball and softball. We need help from the City of London, but they are listening.”

To keep expanding, they hope to establish a women’s team, and they taught cricket to children by doing three clinics at schools in 2025.

The HSC has another item on their agenda. Next month a new sign will be erected to mark the original Wonderland Gardens.