League history time-line

1968 Herts Competition formed with one division of 1st XI sides, Group 1.

1969 Group 2 formed as a second division.

1970 2nd XI division added to Group1

1974 Hertfordshire League formed for the top 16 clubs in Herts.

1979 2nd XI division added to Herts Competition Group 2

1985 Hertfordshire Competition grows to 3 divisions, 34 clubs. League grows to 18 clubs.

1986 Furnell Transport Ltd sponsor the new League Knock-out Trophy

1991 3rd XI league formed for Hertfordshire Competition.

1994 Merger of the Herts League and the Herts Competition forms the Hertfordshire Cricket League. 75 clubs compete in four divisions at 1st and 2nd XI, plus two 3rd XI divisions.

1995 Premier Division increased to 20 clubs.

1996 Introduction of 100 over game.

1997 A new feeder division created for new clubs to become full members of the League. Divisions 5, 6 & 7 replace existing divisions 4, 5 east and west.

1998 Divisions1, 2 & 3 increased to 20 clubs. KO cup sponsored by Becker Transport.

1999 Premier Division split into two divisions of 10 with matches played on a home and away basis. Website created containing information about the League and results.

2000 Sponsorship agreement initiated with Saracens RFC - £100,000 for first 3 years, and £30,000 per annum thereafter.

Vertical structure of 14 divisions formed from 100 clubs. Premier Division becomes a feeder league for the Home Counties Premier League, playing 110 over game.

2002 Premier Division becomes division 2 east of the Home Counties Premier League.

2003 Junior Development League created; 22 clubs competing in four regional divisions.

2006 Final year of Becker Transport sponsorship of county knock-out cup

2007 Division 14 created to help accommodate 16 new teams. New Website launched.

2008 Record number of teams playing in the League - 260.

2009 Fully automated results system introduced with teams reporting via text message system.

2010 Kookaburra Readers become the new sponsors of the Cup and Trophy knock-out.

2014 Clubs withdrawn from the Home Counties Premier League and form the top of the Hertfordshire League. Divisions 11 East & 11 West, and 12 East & 12 West formed. 20/20 tournament introduced for the Premier and Championship sides.

2015 League awarded ECB Premier League status Structure revised making all divisions 10 teams playing home and away, with 9 timed format matches and 9 limited overs.

2016 Sunday T20 competition introduced to encourage more participation in cricket.

2017 New website launched to include an enhanced results reporting system using smartphones. Premier and Championship use pink ball and coloured clothing in League 50 over matches

2018 Smartphone app allows for facilities and umpire marking. Matches in divs1-10B played under limited over format. Dinner at Lord's marks 50 years of league cricket in Herts.

2019 T20 Trophy competition introduced for non-premier clubs. Development divisions re-formed to benefit younger players. Partnership created with Herts Junior Leagues.

2020 Coronovirus pandemic severely affects all cricket. First half of league season cancelled. No promotion or relegation as a result of shortened season. No changing rooms or teas. Mike Wood retires as Results & Fixtures Secretary, after serving league cricket in Hertfordshire since 1985.

2021 Some Covid restrictions remained until mid-season, when national guidelines eased. A wet summer, some teams cancelled 7 out of 18 matches due to the weather or Covid.

2022 Regional structure extended to divisions 10A & B. Facilities marking no longer required below division 6B' in other divisions teams to report unacceptable pitches, outfields only.