Our story

From humble beginnings to a thriving hub of sport and community, discover the rich history of Allscott Sports Club. Join us as we celebrate our heritage and look forward to a bright future.

 

 

 

SPORTS CLUB

The Sports Club at Allscott has been functioning since the early thirties. Over time many sports including bowls, shooting, fishing, tennis, table tennis, snooker, dominoes, darts, cricket and more recently football have been participated. In the early days the company encouraged competition between other factories with the final day of the Inter Factory competition held at their head office in Peterborough. This was possible because most players in the various teams were made up of solely employee members of the club but unfortunately as employees declined and interest dwindled the inter factory competition ceased to take place and the club had to rely on local outside members to fulfil team commitments..

 

Allscott goalie Tim Rice needs some first aid from Shelia Evans watched by Doreen Webb.

The Sports Club has been a very important part of the local community and employees alike. With the help of the company the club has developed tremendously over the years. When the factory closed in 2007 British Sugar agreed a five year lease for the club to continue itssporting and social activities. The sports club changed itsname to Allscott Sports & Social Club and became a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) which meant there could be no restriction in membership this gave us a large increase in membership which resulted in a surge of teams competing under the club name. The club now runs 8 bowls teams, 6 cricket teams, including junior U10’s and U11’s, 4 football team, (under 13’s, U14’s, Senior and Ladies teams), snooker and darts teams participating in local leagues.

 

 

 

BOWLS.  

 

 

Old wooden club house in back ground

 

Today, 2009, the green is probably one of the best in the county.

Also showing new the new clubhouse which was built in 1964.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRICKET

The cricket section was formed in 1951 and all players were factory employees. The team arranged friendly games, 29 in their first season, until a local league was formed many years later. Highlights of the season were the Inter Factory games against other factories; this made a great day out in them days.

The currently our cricket team play in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier league which is the highest in the county.

 

Inter Factory team of 1952 L to R: - Back Row. Unknown Umpire, Jack Preston, Unknown, Brian Hayward, Peter Jones, John Jesse, Ken Finch, Unknown Umpire.

Front. Taffy Jones, Jack Bissel, Unknown, John Crisp, Derek Thompson.

 

Inter Factory Cricket Team 1964.  Back Row-L to R:-John Shelvock, Henry Coxill, John Glendenning, Lol Evans, Nev Evans, Ken Finch,   Front Row: - Colin Huckerby, Jo Misik, Fred Pierpoint, Pete Dovey, Taffy Jones.

 

Cricket Team 1966 Back Row – L to R: - John Griffiths, Cliff Carr, Rob Humphries, Nev Evans, Colin Huckerby, Unknown, Sam Jones, Front: -, Frank Cook, John Shelvock Ken Finch, Pete Dovey, Unknown.  

Note the old original wooden pavilion in the back ground.

 

The old hostel was converted into the cricket changing rooms in mid 80’s.

               The hostel was completely refurbished and transformed into the existing cricket pavilion complete with score box. This was opened by Factory Manager Bob Jones 1995.

2007 cricket team, Winners of Shropshire League KO

Back Row. Pete Starling, Royston Evans, Des Hayward, Richard Williams, Andy Withington, Terry Brentnall,  Jason Allen, Pete Thornton.

Front Row: - Liam Pritchard, Chris Starling, Craig Starling, Christian Starling, Tim Clare, Carl Starling, Calum Starling.                2009 Marston Premier League KO winners

Back Row: - Dave Finney, Ian Pollard, Ben Waters, Martin Jones, Tim Clare, Jason Allen, Andy Withington.

Front Row: - Chris Starling, Christian Starling, Carl Starling, (MOM), Calum Starling, Steve Powell.

   

George Allen (AY fabrications) presents new cricket jackets to skipper Chris Starling

 

Cricket match May 2007.

 

Cricket match May 2008. Spot the difference!!

ADDITIONAL PITCHES

Tremendous changes have been made over the road on the football and cricket field. Below shows how the field has changed dramatically since 2002.

Area opposite the factory showing old lime basins, football and cricket pitch.

Reclaimed area showing new football pitch and area under development. This will give us an additional football and cricket pitch.

NEW CRICKET PITCH

Work gets under for new football and cricket pitch development. Firstly the new fishing pond, which was completed in 2002, but due to lack of interest, it was emptied and levelled.

 

Fishing pond which was later levelled to make way for a new cricket and football pitch.

The old lime basins were also flattened, this was followedby Sub soiling with additional drainage installed thenlevelled and reseeded.

             

Land after completion of sub soiling.

                                    Area levelled and reseeded

The cricket pitch was completed in time for the newly formed 3rd team to play in the 2011 season; hopefully the additional football pitch will be ready for the 2011/12 season.

21st May 2011, 3rd Team captain prepares to face the first ball on our new pitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOTBALL

Development of the football pitch started in 2003 and was completed in 2004.

Preparation of the new football was inside the large lime basin running parallel to the river pump road and cooling towers.Mike Langley nick named the ground “The Stadium of Lime”.

New pitch completed and used by newly formed Allscott Ladies in 2006.

The pitch was also used in 2010 by Telford United for training and reserve team matches.

Allscott Ladies were formed in 2006, note the sponsors.

Allscott under 13’s, joined in 2009.

We now have junior under 14’s and a senior Saturday team also representing Allscott Sports & Social Club.

Just a pile of scrap!!!

Just a few small buildings remain, once they have gone only The Sports Club will be left standing on Factory Site.

Elevated view of the site after Demolition, looking from Sundries entrance.

 

2008. Elevated view from behind Sports Club. The clubhouse is the only building standing on old factory site now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great care has been taken to ensure accuracy, but no responsibility can be accepted for omissions and / or errors.

Produced by Pete Starling

 

 

 

 

 

Allscott Sugar Beet Factory call it what you like but it’s no more.

Thanks for the memories