Sport and Dulwich are synonymous, few other areas of London can claim to have as many sports fields and sports clubs. While there had always been a large number of fields in the area used mainly for grazing, it was the decision by the Dulwich Estate in 1905 not to build on them, reinforced by today’s Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) legislation, that has secured them for us today.
Cricket was played in the grounds of the Greyhound Inn from the early 1840s and the Dulwich Cricket Club, whose ground is on Burbage Road, can trace its history back to 1867. Rugby at Dulwich College began at the end of the 1850s and, in the years just before WW1, the school provided five of the players in the English, Scottish and Irish teams. The popularity of football grew rapidly from the 1860s (Dulwich Hamlet was but one of many local amateur teams) and lawn tennis’ popularity grew rapidly from the 1870s because it allowed men and women to mix through its social events.
Tennis on Burbage Road
The Herne Hill Velodrome and London County running track opened in 1891 and while it promoted cycling and athletics (sprint coach Sam Mussibini of ‘Chariots of Fire’ fame lived overlooking it), it also hosted football (the Amateur Football Cup Final was held there in 1911 and Crystal Palace Football Club played there during WW1) and rugby, with London Welsh playing there and training there from 1918 until the 1950s. Other sports were accommodated including women’s football, lacrosse, Gaelic football and some more esoteric ones like basket racing. The Velodrome was also the host for the cycling events in the 1948 London Olympics and, with its new stadium and much improved facilities, it continues to thrive - 130 years since it was first built. A more recent change in the area has been the demise of the demand for both university and company sports grounds - fortunately they have all been taken over by local schools or not-for-profit charitable trusts - and are well-used.
Ian McInnes will be presenting ‘Sports and Sports Personalities in Dulwich 1870-1970; an Illustrated Talk‘ via Live Stream, on 13th May, 2021 at the Dulwich Festival.
