1911
The 1st XI again under the captaincy of ‘Buddy’ had a good season. Newcomer, A Wildgoose dominated the batting with 833 runs. DQ Steel was back in form with 549 runs, and J Harris weighed in with 498 runs.

Two notable performers during the season were A Calvert with 433 runs and 54 wickets, and J Hooton with 100 wickets.

In a season in which runs flowed freely from both sides, Upton scored a total of 4,614 runs from 30 matches, whilst the opponents totalled 4,151.

1912
Again, a very good season for the Club winning 12 of their 29 matches. DQ Steel dominated the batting with 584 runs, LC Ord scored 484 and A Wildgoose scored 409 runs.

Once again, the bowling was spearheaded by J Hooton, who narrowly missed out on one hundred wickets, taking 99. He was ably supported by A Calvert (65) and C Lewis (38).

It is strange that having been probably one of the most successful and consistent players the Club has ever had, A Wildgoose bowled only 33 overs in his first two seasons at Upton.

1913
The year 1913 was an important milestone in the history of the Club, for prior to this date no records or documents exist to prove that the Club was run on a constitutional basis, and all indications are that whilst the Club was run and constituted in a proper and efficient manner, the act of looking after the affairs and funds fell on the shoulders of 'Buddy'.

An old minutes book covering the period 1913 to 1918 still survives to this day, and reading between the lines it appears that finance was the stumbling block, and it is reasonable to assume that 'Buddy' was no longer prepared to completely sponsor the Club from his own pocket.

On Wednesday 22nd April, a meeting was held in the New Room, Greenbank, Upton to discuss the reconstruction of the Club. DQ Steel presided at a the meeting, and he pointed out that £115 would be required to cover running costs for the first year - £25 for the painting of the pavilion, £15 for tennis equipment and fixtures, and £75 towards general running expenses. As a result of this meeting, the Club was formally reconstructed, and was to be known as the Upton & District Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club. The following Officers and Officials were appointed:

Chairman - DQ Steel
Cricket Secretary - J Moon
Tresurer - NG Cox
Tennis Secretary - AB Spence
1st XI Captain - WSS Hannay
2nd XI Captain - D McGlashen

The committee was to consist of Club Officers and Officials and eight members, four from the cricket section and four from the tennis section. The cricket members representatives were A Calvert, J Harris, J Hooton and A Wildgoose, whilt tennis members were represented by the Rev. Cannon Bellamy, Commander Jefferson, Mr Jerome-Smith and C Rigby. A Ladies committee was also set up cosnsisting of Mrs Hannay, Mrs Jerome-Smith, Mrs Steel, Mrs Stern and Mrs Titherley.

The first duties of the committee were to draw up the Club Constitution and to elect a Club president, and at a committee meeting held on the 24th April, Mr TS Hannay JP was elected as the first Club president together with the election of thirteen Vice Presidents, and the Club Constitution was introduced.

Governing committees were held every Monday at 6.30pm during the cricket season, and committee matters included team selection. It is interesting to note that team members playing away from home were required to share expenses incurred by scorers, umpires and baggage men. The groundsman, Mr C Lane, also a useful cricketer, received remuneration of 30/- (£1.50) per week.

Due to financial difficulties, it was decided to ask members for donations, and seven members are on record of having made contributions of one guinea (£1.05 each).

On the playing scene, the Club enjoyed another successful season, recording some excellent individual and team performances. In a season in which he began to emerge as one of the Clubs finest bowlers, A Wildgoose led the way on the batting scene, scoring 747 runs. He was supported by 'Buddy' (470 runs) and A Calvert (299 runs).

The bowling successes were shared by J Hooton (73 wickets), A Calvert and A Wildgoose (49 wickets each).

As the year drew to a close the Club's financial position was serious due to poor response from members, and in an effort to raise funds, a concert was held making a profit of £11-5-8.

The Club's first constitution is shown below...

1914
In spite of financial difficulties the Club was experiencing, four cricket bats were purchased for general use throughout the Club.

On the playing scene, the Club again enjoyed a very good season winning fourteen of their twenty nine games. LC Ord dominated the batting with 604 runs, closely followed by DS Roberts (534 runs), A Wildgoose (454 runs) and 'Buddy' (415 runs).

In spite of the fine batting performances during the season, the bowling highlighted the season, led by A Calvert (68 wickets), A Wildgoose (59 wickets), E Parry (46 wickets) and J Hooton (42 wickets). The season also recorded the highest ever home and opposition wickets taken in one season, 249 and 258 respectively. WN Derryman had a fine season behind the stumps, taking 17 catches and 12 stumpings.

The end of the season saw the comparatively short career of LC Ord come to an end. In 123 appearances for the Club he recorded 3,035 runs and took 44 catches.

As the year grew to a close, the First World Ward was in progress and at the first ever Annual General Meeting, the same officials were elected 'en bloc', but it was decided that no cricket would be played during the period of hostilities, although it was agreed that the tennis and Club facilities would remain open. Those availing of the Club facilities were expected to pay their annual subscriptions, whilst for the remainder the payment was optional.

The cricket ground and grazing land was sub-let to 'Buddy' at a rental of £8 per annum.

1915 to 1918
No records due to the First World War

1919
With the end of hostlities the year before, the playing of cricket resumed in the summer of 1919, and after a four year lapse, the peace and tranquility of the village was once more shattered by the sound of leather on willow, and intermittent sound of some fielders ravenous appeals.

A number of familiar names were missing from the playing records, and apart from A Wildgooseho was to resume his cricket activities the following season, no information is available s to the reason.

From the old photographs, it is fair to assume that some were now past their playing days, but for the most, it can only be left to the imagination whether they left the area, or were killed or wounded in that terrible holocaust that was the First World War.

One of the significant ames missing was that of J Hooton, who in the eight years he played for the Club took 519 wickets in 153 appearances.

Considering the fact that all, or at least most players had been out of the game for four seasons, and that the ground had received little or no attention for the same period, the seasons performances were quite admirable with ten of the twenty three matches played being won. The side was bolstered on occasions by Major RH Parkes and Major Quack.

The batting was dominated by HB Oldham with 434 runs, including one century. J Harris contributed with 346 runs and 'Buddy' Hannay scored 283 runs.

Outstanding bowling performances included 62 wickets by AS Goss, RH Warwick took 39 wickets and 'Buddy' took 26 wickets. WN Derryman had another fine season taking 11 catches and 10 stumpings.

1920
From a playing point of view, season 1920 was a disaster with certain prominent fixtures against the likes of Sefton, New Brighton and Neston missing. Only 3 of 17 matches were won.

The Clubs batting performances were dismal, whilst taking into account the reduced fixture list, the Club recorded its lowest ever seasons aggregate with 1,113 runs, with 141 wickets falling. 'Buddy' led the way with the bat scoring 150 runs, M Schofield scored 144 runs and J Harris scored 135 runs. On his return, A Wildgoose faired slightly better with the ball with 62 wickets.

To look back at previous decades, please click HERE