Glen Iris United Cricket Club
formerly Glen Iris Presbyterian Cricket Club,
and Glen Iris Uniting Church Cricket Club
Formed 1937

In 1936 Ian Nicholls, Leader of Junior Boys Bible Class tried to form a cricket club. A ground was booked, competition entered, matting hired but lack of finance and poor organisation prevented the formation. Ian left the district and J.R Faichney became the new Bible Class Leader.

Early in 1937, he asked Ernie Miller and Glenan Thomas, both members of the disbanded Senior Bible Class, to assist in getting the club established. They both resigned from the Glen Iris Cricket Club at the end of the 1936/37 season.

Crazy whist nights, parties, etc. were held to raise funds and a team was entered in the 4th grade of the South Suburban Churches Cricket Association. Unfortunately, no ground was available. Representation was made to Councillor Dave Watson for an extra pitch to be laid in park land between the creek and Cove & Kitts Timber Mill. The council agreed subject to certain conditions, hence the pitch was not ready for the opening match. A dirt pitch in Lloyds Paddock, near Bridges St, made by the Bible Class students, was where the first home matches were played.

The first match was rather a disaster. In a higher grade , Prahran Presbyterians omitted to enter a team. As there was a bye in 4th grade, they were permitted to play in that grade and we, having the first match bye, had to play them on a dirt pitch covered by matting. We were dismissed for 19 runs in each innings and were beaten outright. We did, however, have the satisfaction of learning at the end of the season that their score of 99 against us was their lowest for that season. They won the 4th grade Premiership that season.

The team for the first match was: Jack Ashworth, Sam Boon, Roy Clark, John Duke, Keith Harris, Ray Howard, Ernie Miller (Capt), Steve Muir, Alan Seal, Glenan Thomas and Dave Watson.

As that first season progressed we gradually improved and found out who were really worthy of playing regularly and those who were not so dedicated and were prepared to play as required. For the season we lost 6 outright, won 3 outright and won once on the first innings.

Other players used in the first season included Max Ashworth, Vic Atkinson, Ralph Clark, Ron Hay, Rex Ingles, Doug McCully, Hugh Wood and Jack Wood

The 1938/39 season saw us consolidate into a useful side. We won the 4th grade Premiership by defeating Albert & Middle Park Presbyterians 7/163 to 153.

We entered 3rd grade for the 1939/40 season and did reasonably well but had to wait until 1941/42 before winning a Premiership in that grade. G.I.P.C.C 160 & 65 def St. Barnabas' South Melbourne 53 & 75.

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