Priory Park, Chichester
Encyclopedia
Priory Park is a public park operated by Chichester District Council. It is situated in the north-east quadrant of Chichester town centre. The park has a rich heritage and is bordered by the Roman City Walls to the north and east of the park and contains Chichester Castle
and the Guildhall
.
The park has also played host to county cricket
matches, holding its first first-class match in 1852 (before the park itself was established) when Sussex
played an All-England Eleven
. In 1882 and 1886 the touring Australians played on the ground, although Sussex were not their opponents: they played Lord March's XI
(owner of the nearby Goodwood Estate
) and against a United Eleven. It was in the Australians match against the United Eleven that the great W.G. Grace played on the ground.
Having last played on the ground in 1852, Sussex returned there in 1906 playing a 1906 County Championship
match against local rivals Hampshire
. Sussex last played on the ground in 1950 against Glamorgan
.
Today the ground is used by Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club who play in the Sussex Cricket League Division Two.
Chichester Castle
Chichester Castle stood in the city of the same name in West Sussex . Shortly after the Norman Conquest of England, Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, ordered the construction of a castle at Chichester. The castle at Chichester was one of 11 fortified sites to be established in Sussex...
and the Guildhall
Chichester Guildhall
Chichester Guildhall is an ecclesiastical building in Chichester, West Sussex, England. The name is a bit of a misnomer, as the building was constructed as a chancel by the Grey Friars of Chichester, an Order of Franciscans...
.
The park has also played host to county cricket
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
matches, holding its first first-class match in 1852 (before the park itself was established) when Sussex
Sussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
played an All-England Eleven
All-England Eleven
In cricket, the term All-England has been used for various non-international teams that have been formed for short-term purposes since the 1739 English cricket season and it indicates that the "Rest of England" is playing against, say, MCC or an individual county team...
. In 1882 and 1886 the touring Australians played on the ground, although Sussex were not their opponents: they played Lord March's XI
Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond
Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and 5th Duke of Lennox KG, PC , styled Earl of March until in 1819, was a British soldier, politician and a prominent Conservative.-Background and education:...
(owner of the nearby Goodwood Estate
Goodwood House
Goodwood House is a country house in West Sussex in southern England. It is the seat of the Dukes of Richmond. Several architects have contributed to the design of the house, including James Wyatt. It was the intention to build the house to a unique octagonal layout, but only three of the eight...
) and against a United Eleven. It was in the Australians match against the United Eleven that the great W.G. Grace played on the ground.
Having last played on the ground in 1852, Sussex returned there in 1906 playing a 1906 County Championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
match against local rivals Hampshire
Hampshire County Cricket Club
Hampshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Hampshire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1863 as a successor to the Hampshire county cricket teams and has played at the Antelope Ground from then until 1885, before moving to the County Ground where it...
. Sussex last played on the ground in 1950 against Glamorgan
Glamorgan County Cricket Club
Glamorgan County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Glamorgan aka Glamorganshire . Glamorgan CCC is the only Welsh first-class cricket club. Glamorgan CCC have won the English County...
.
Today the ground is used by Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club who play in the Sussex Cricket League Division Two.
External links
- Priory Park Ground on CricketArchiveCricketArchiveCricketArchive is a website that aims to provide a comprehensive archive of records relating to the sport of cricket. It claims to be the most comprehensive cricket database on the internet, including scorecards for all matches of first-class cricket , List A cricket , Women's Test cricket and...