Yorkshire County Cricket Club founded

Background. Yorkshire cricket was centred around Sheffield, where it was more organised than in the rest of the county. On 7 March 1861, a Match Fund Committee was established at the Adelphi Hotel to run Yorkshire county matches. However, the committee failed to persuade other clubs that it was not promoting Sheffield cricket, and a lack of funds prevented some matches in 1862.

Formation. Consequently, Yorkshire County Cricket Club was formed on 8 January 1863 at the Adelphi Hotel in Sheffield. The club was founded to be owned by its members, who elected officials including a general committee. The club was initially based at Bramall Lane, and B. Wostinholm became the first of four long-serving club secretaries in 1864.

Early Developments. Yorkshire played their inaugural first-class match against Surrey at The Oval on 4, 5 and 6 June 1863. Attempts to form an alternative Yorkshire team continued intermittently until 1884, although by 1873 most clubs had accepted the authority of the Sheffield-based county club.