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Corfu and Cricket
The history of Corfu and cricket goes back to 1823 when the island was under British rule, which left them with a legacy of loving both cricket and ginger beer.
A History of Corfu and Cricket
On 23rd April, 1823, on the feast of the English patron saint, St George, an event took place on Corfu whose effects are still being felt 200 years later. And felt not only on Corfu, but far away in the British Embassy in Athens too. That event was the first ever cricket match to be seen by the curious Corfiots.
Corfu was under British rule at the time and in order to amuse themselves a match was arranged between the officers of the island-based British Garrison and the visiting British Royal Navy. But the game didn't only amuse the British, for whom cricket is a passion and an obsession, it amused the local people enormously and they decided to take the game up too.
Over the next few years two local teams were formed, both to play against each other and as a challenge to the British. The two teams went by the simple names of Large and Small, according to the players' abilities.
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The British Leave Corfu, and Cricket Stays
When the British left Corfu in 1864 there were still only two enthusiastic clubs on Corfu, though by now the names had changed to Gongakis and Camvissis. By 1893, though, interest in the game had waned, which is hardly surprising when you only have two teams!
The two teams merged in 1893 because there simply weren't enough players to keep two clubs going, and the sole remaining team took the name of Gymnastikos. Their only opponents were occasional visiting British ships, but Gymnastikos kept the faith alive and the club still exists today as part of the Kerkyraikos Gymnastikos Syllogos multi-sports club.
In 1923 another club was started, taking the name of Ergatikos, although in 1936 it changed its name to Byron Cricket Club in honour of the British poet, Lord Byron, and that club is also still going strong today. Others have classical names like Atlas and Achilles. You can find out more at the CricketCorfu website.
Some Cool Corfu Souvenirs
Paleokastritsa Luggage Tag
Corfu Cypresses Capri Leggings
Corfu T-shirt
Corfu Tote Bag
Hellenic Cricket Federation
There is now a Hellenic Cricket Federation, which has 15 members, all on Corfu except for teams in Athens and Thessaloníki, Greece's second city. There is a Corfu island team, and a Greek national team, as well as an occasional team fielded by the British Embassy in Athens. In addition, the teams on Corfu have very active youth policies and also have under-18 and under-14 teams.
It is these youngsters you might now see playing on the cricket pitch in front of the Liston. The main teams used to play there until recently, when some of the space was taken for a car park, reducing the size of the pitch. When the men played, with cars parked all around, there would inevitably be damage to the cars sometimes, although the Town Hall used to pay the bills!
The arrival of large numbers of British tourists on Corfu every year has been a great boost for the island's cricket lovers. Cricket teams from Britain come touring, and school teams as well, to play against the younger sides. A new ground was built at the Kontókali Marina to make up for the loss of the one in the town centre, though there are no reports yet of yachts being damaged by flying cricket balls.
Other Corfu Pages
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Where to Stay in Northern Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets picks where to stay in northern Corfu with budget and luxury hotels in Sidari, Daphnila Bay, Kontokali, Ipsos, Barbati and more.
Where to Stay in North-West and Central Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in north-west and central Corfu including luxury mansions, inexpensive rooms, and resort hotels.
Where to Eat in Northern Corfu
This is the Greece Travel Secrets selection of where to eat in northern Corfu, from classy restaurants and traditional tavernas to beachside fish tavernas.
Where to Eat in North-West Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets has its list of favourite places where you can eat in north-west Corfu, including in Paleokastritsa, Pelekas, and Ayios Stefanos.
Visiting Albania from Corfu
Donna Dailey of Greece Travel Secrets visits Albania by boat from Corfu Town, staying overnight and seeing archaeological sites with Sipa Tours.
Two Corfu Saints
The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.
The Invasion of Corfu
From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!
The Corfu Trail
The Corfu Trail runs from the southernmost point of Corfu at Cape Asprokavos and winds for 220km (137 miles) to the northernmost point near Andinioti Lagoon.
The Achilleion Palace
The Achilleion Palace is one of the most visited sights on Corfu and contains a museum and impressive gardens with wonderful views over the coast.
Southern Corfu
Southern Corfu has busy beach resorts like Benitses, historical buildings like the Achilleion Palace and Gardiki Castle, and wildlife at the Korision Lagoon.
Southern Corfu Drive
This Southern Corfu drive starts and ends in Moraïtika, taking in hill villages, secluded beaches, lovely views, and a visit to Gardiki Castle.
Southern Corfu Beaches and Villages
This guide to southern Corfu’s beaches and villages includes busy resorts, quiet beach, hill villages and the southernmost tip of Corfu at Cape Asprókavos.
Sidari
Sidari is a popular holiday resort on the north coast of Corfu with beaches and unusual rock formations as well as plenty of places to eat and to stay.
Paleokastritsa, Corfu
Paleokastritsa is on the west coast of Corfu and is one of the most popular holiday spots. This page gives information on beaches, boat trips, weather and map.
Northern Corfu
Northern Corfu is the most diverse part of the island, with Corfu's highest point, Mt Pantokrator, and beach resorts like Sidari and Palaiokastritsa.
Northern Corfu in Three Days
If you want to tour northern Corfu in three days you can see busy resorts, quiet fishing villages, Mount Pantokrator, and the Andinioti Lagoon.
Northern Corfu Drive
There are two sides to every Greek island, the tourist and the traditional, and this drive from Corfu Town through northern Corfu shows the two faces of Corfu.
Northern Corfu Beaches and Villages
Northern Corfu’s beaches and villages include busy resorts and secluded beaches, with several hill and mountain villages well worth visiting.
North-West Corfu Beaches and Villages
North-West Corfu’s beaches and villages include busy resorts, quiet beaches, hill villages, and places ideal for watching the sunset,
Mount Pantokrátor
Mount Pantokrator is the highest mountain on Corfu and it’s easy to drive to the top for spectacular views of Albania, Corfu, and even sometimes to Italy.
Mount Pantokrator Drive
This Mount Pantokrator drive takes you to the top of Corfu’s highest mountain with wonderful views to Albania, mainland Greece, and around Corfu.
Korission Lagoon
The Korission Lagoon on the west coast of Corfu is also called Lake Korission and has abundant wildlife, especially birds, and one of the best beaches on Corfu.
Kassiopi
Kassiopi is a popular tourist resort on the northeast coast of Corfu with a sandy beach, Byzantine fortress, old church, and lots of places to stay and to eat.
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