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The
first mention of cricket being played in Portugal goes back to 1736. More
formally cricket was played at Campo Pequeno in Lisbon
in 1860 and resulted in formation of the Lisbon Cricket Club in 1865 which also
included facilities for football and tennis.
Records
relate to footballs being imported in 1870, the British being pioneers of the
game in Portugal and it was the Pinto Basto family, three of whom were
members of the club (total membership of 77) who later introduced and
contributed greatly to the development of football in Portugal.
The Lisbon Cricket Club
moved to Cruz Quebrada in 1899 where they continued their sporting activities
until 1920. They made history in 1906 by winning the first ever football
tournament in Portugal.
The Lisbon Sports Club was founded in 1922 with grounds at
Ajuda behind the Palácio Nacional having a magnificent view over the Tagus estuary. Apart from cricket, football and tennis,
additional facilities were provided for athletics and a nine hole golf
course. During this era at least two club members played football for
Sporting Clube de Portugal.
In
1942 the Lisbon Camara expropriated the Ajuda
grounds but allowed the clubs sporting activities to continue until 1955 when
the Lisbon
Sports Club vacated the Ajuda ground. During this time the Eastern Telegraph
Company, based at Quinta Nova in Carcavelos, ran the Carcavelos Sports Club
offering facilities for cricket, tennis and golf and had a regular source of
young players. In 1958 the Lisbon
Sports Club purchased land at Carregueira, Belas, where the grounds were
developed for tennis and golf, a swimming pool was built and meals and
facilities were provided in an attractive clubhouse. The LSC who leased the
grounds at Carcavelos from St. Julian's School maintained cricket, football
and hockey at Quinta Nova, however in 1977 decided that with declining
membership they could no longer maintain the Carcavelos section of LSC.
The Lisbon Casuals was
formed in 1980 having entered an agreement with St. Julian's School to rent
the pitches whereby cricket, football, hockey and tennis continued to be
played at Carcavelos. Apart from the sports already mentioned, the club
having grown in its membership since its inception, now offers rugby,
badminton, baseball and Scottish dancing to its members. A list of founding
members, (vice presidents) who raised the necessary funds to set up the Lisbon Casuals is
displayed in the clubhouse. Many are still active in the community and some
are still enjoying sport.
References:
Cricket in Portugal by
d'Arcy Orders
British Historical
Society of Portugal
Historical
photos will soon be available. Should anyone have any or would like to add
more information please contact webmaster@lisboncasuals.net.
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