LMUCC is currently in its 152nd  year of existence. Over these years, the club has had its fair share of

success and setbacks. One of the most decorated clubs in terms of championships and trophies in County League Cricket, the club almost ceased in 1954 (due to mining subsidence) and again in 2003 when the 1st Team had to relinquish their Premier Division spot due to a lack of players.

 

For the first 20 years, the club played only friendly matches at the Station Road Ground which is still used today. They then joined the Derbyshire Alliance in 1893 and remained until 1919, having won the senior championship in 1902. The 1920’s were halcyon years for the club.

 

They were founder members of the Notts and Derby Border League. They won the championship in 1924 and then became runners up on 5 separate occasions. Captaining throughout this time was Major R.H.T Turner who also had a spell with Nottinghamshire.

Two former Notts players, R.R Lawford and A.W Palmer were prolific run scorers at that time as was Billy Jones. It was also at this time that that James Mitchell retired from his position as Chairman after 40 years of dedication. It was his inspiration that brought the Border League into reality and without him, the club would probably have folded during its time of difficulty.

 

The amazing twenties were then succeeded by the depressing thirties as the club failed to build on its previous success. The club did however continue throughout the 2nd World War, though none too successfully and in 1945, fresh talent was recruited in the form of Hector Beet (former Derbyshire player) and Stan Proffit (former Essex Spinner). In the post war years, the club continued to build with the likes of former England and Essex player, Maurice Nichols.

 

In latter years and from the 1970’s onwards, the club went on to win 8 league titles Throughout those years in the 70’s and 80’s players such as David Long, Fred Swarbrook and Barry Marsh lead the team to glory. The last title in 1996 under the captaincy of ex Derbyshire (and local lad) Andy Brown consisted of Chris Marples (the last person to ever mix professional cricket and football in the same year), Andrew Pierrepont, Andrew Ball (who is now the club President) and homegrown talent Simon Lacey who had a spell with Derbyshire and also became the first player to reach 500 Premier League wickets under the Play Cricket records.

 

Other well known players include Samit Patel who played through the junior and senior teams and a brief spell for the likes of Devon Malcom and Paul Taylor who also went on to gain international honours.                                                              

Today, the club continues to build on the foundations started by Richard Davey who played a pivotal role in saving the club from extinction back in 2003. Richard eventually handing over the reins in 2014 to Dan Lacey who is still chairman today. Since 2003, the club has won 5 Divisional Championships, 3 Wright Cups and a Bayley Cup. Paul Bailey playing a huge role in recent history celebrating 10,000 recorded runs on Play Cricket. The future is looking good for ‘The Millers’ and with a 1st Team recently back in the Premier League with mostly homegrown talent including the return of Samit Patel, a junior set up which boasts 4 teams and an abundance of members involved off the field, the future is looking very bright.