As an additional feature for the website Martin Green asked me if I knew the origins of the Parley Cricket Club badge.
Not being one to turn aside a challenge I have undertaken some investigation and my findings are recorded herewith. There is no doubt that the basis of the badge was originally that of Bournemouth Amateurs Cricket Club who it is believed were formed in the 1920's. There is a long history of the distinction in cricket between Players (people paid to play) and Gentlemen (amateur players) and that is where the name of the club was sourced. It was not until 1963 that the MCC abolished that amateur status causing all first class cricketers to become professionals. Bournemouth Amateurs CC merged with Springfield CC in 1983 to become Springfield Amateurs CC. Then 1993 saw the merger of Parley CC and Springfield Amateurs CC as Parley Springfield CC. There was a further merger with Monty's in 1995 to form Parley Monty's CC. The rules of the Parley Sports Club dictated that those names were used for a couple of years when the Springfield and Monty's were dropped to leave Parley Cricket Club. I have been unable to ascertain why the rose and griffin were chosen together. However Bournemouth would have been within the Hampshire county boundary and the symbolisation of the griffin depicts excellent characteristics (see below). |