The cricket club was formed in the some time in the nineteenth century, although the exact date is uncertain, although word of mouth has suggested the club was formed in 1844. However others have suggested that the new pavillion in 1988 coincided with the club’s centenary, and we may never know the true date.
It is however, reasonably certain that the cricket ground was formed by the local miners. In the nineteenth century, mining was the major industry of the area. Gunnislake Clitters and Drakewalls mines were the most important mines in the immediate area, and the ground is across the Tamar from Devon Great Consuls, once the largest copper mine in the world. It is common belief that the miners levelled what was a spoil heap to form the cricket ground. Timber faggots were laid as a base for the square to assist with drainage. These were covered with soil and then turf was imported from foreign parts – Dartmoor to be precise, to form the square. Over the years, evidence of the mine waste has appeared in the outfield, in the form of large boulders, with just their tips breaking through the surface of the grass.
The first photograph of the club dates from 1903 and this is shown below, along with several others from over the years.
For many years, nearly all matches were friendlies, and early records are rare. Gunnislake did manage a notable achievement in 1953, winning the Isaac Foot Cup, a competition for local village teams. The competition claims to be the world’s original 20 over competition, played for at Callington CC since 1928!
Our first record of League cricket relates to an evening league in 1965. Early League years were spent in the Launceston & District Evening League, which later became part of the Cornwall Cricket League. Apart from a spell in the Tamar League from 1997 to 2006 the club has continued to play in the Cornwall League through to today.
The 1990s were a strong period for the club, with a second team briefly formed and dominating the Tamar Evening League with a young side. The peak performance was probably 1994 when the club spent one season in Cornwall Division 3 East.
Off the field a new pavilion was built in 1988 and a generator and showers were installed in 2001.
After a difficult period, the club has recently had four years of steady progress and success. In 2025 we are playing in Cornwall Division 5 East. We are now planning to update the pavilion and facilities and expect to start regular youth cricket in 2026. New players and supporters are always welcome!
