Video: Celebrating 150 years of Yorkshire cricket

Throughout Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s 150 years some true legends have turned out for the county and on Friday players, together with lovers of Yorkshire cricket from around the region, attended a service of thanksgiving at York Minster to mark the club’s 150th anniversary.

Among those attending was umpire Dickie Bird, who after being given a lady’s pink hat to hold, tried it on for good measure as he was waiting to go inside. Others attending included Brian Close, Phil Sharpe and the club’s executive chairman Colin Graves.

“I would definitely say that it is the best club in the world, steeped in history and home to many legends of the game - some truly great players,” Dickie Bird said.

BBC presenter Harry Gration, who played for the second XI in his younger days, said he would have chosen being opening batsman for Yorkshire over any other job.

“I have been involved in Yorkshire cricket all my life and I am passionate about this club. I would have loved nothing more than to have played at Headingley.

“We are a great club, and a cantankerous one at that, we’ve been involved in a fair few rows over the years. But we are top of the championship at the moment and what better way to celebrate this milestone.”

The idea for yesterday’s service was first mooted by Robin Smith, vice chairman and follows a reception at the Houses of Parliament for the club earlier this month.

Yesterday Mr Graves said: “It has been a fantastic and fitting tribute to 150 years. I have been proud to be a part of it.”

Mr Close, who scored 34,994 first-class runs and took 1,171 wickets said: “Let’s put it this way, it is the most famous cricket club in the world.

“I have enjoyed the service. It is wonderful to come to this great cathedral.”

“I am delighted to have been here today and it is good that we could make this service happen,” Mr Sharpe added.

It was on January 8, 1863 - when the American Civil War was at its height - that Yorkshire County Cricket Club came into being.

The 12 members of the Sheffield Match Fund committee resolved that “a county club be formed” and although they were not to know it at the time, they had inaugurated an institution that would know plenty of civil wars of its own.

Yorkshire’s first game followed in June, 1863, against Surrey at The Oval, and the biggest club in England was officially up-and-running.

The club has enjoyed great success over the years but in more recent times success has been harder to come by. However the passion among supporters and their deep love of the game has not dwindled.

Sylvia Ross, of Bradford, a Yorkshire County Cricket Club member said: “It certainly is the best cricket club in the world. The history, tradition and success - hopefully the success will continue this year - we’ve just won at Lords so it’s looking good.”

Trevor Davey, of Harrogate, also a Yorkshire County Cricket Club member, who attended yesterday’s service, added: “I support Yorkshire because I live in this famous county where I was born and bred. We have had many famous stars over the 30 years I have watched them.”

The club is still the most prolific in England, with 30 outright titles, which shows just how successful it was in the first 100 years or so of its existence; it also shows just how much they have struggled since then to recapture former glories.

They have only won one championship since 1968, when David Byas lifted the trophy in 2001 amid jubilant scenes at Scarborough.

But as those who attended yesterday’s service know, the great thing about Yorkshire cricket is not so much the greatness on the field, which every Yorkshireman and woman hopes will come good again under the current regime, but the singular passion for the game which is part of the supporter’s lifeblood.

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