Always on
This project successfully funded on 6th June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Charlton Kings CC: From Survival to Success
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
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First target reached!
every penny raised toward our stretch target will go directly into revitalising our ...
Aim
Following our historic legal battle to save our home, we’re now investing in our facilities to provide elite playing conditions.
We saved the ground. Now, we must invest in the future.
Charlton Kings Cricket Club is the heart of our village, but for a long, painful decade, that heart almost stopped beating.
Following a historic legal battle to save Ryeworth Fields, we are finally looking forward. We are investing in our facilities to provide elite playing conditions for every generation, from our five-year-old All Stars to our first team chasing glory in the West of England Premier League.
To understand why we need your help today, we must remember how close we came to losing everything.
A Prolonged Legal Battle
Back in 2013, the headlines weren’t about cricket scores. They were about survival. Since 2011, we were locked in a "fight to the death" legal dispute over our playing area; the club faced a terrifying reality: a nearly half a million pound legal bill that threatened to snatch away over a century of local heritage.
When we were asked then why we didn't just relocate, the answer was simple. You cannot move a hundred plus years of memories. You cannot move the soul of a village.
In our darkest moments, when the gates nearly closed for good, we were carried by a small group of local benefactors and dedicated members. These individuals didn’t just give their time; they put their own personal finances on the line to save our grass. We owe our very existence to their quiet, selfless generosity. They protected the soil so that today’s children could still have a place to play. Today, we play to honour that legacy, but the battle has now shifted from the courtroom to the crease.
The challenge of our own success
We have grown from 225 members during the crisis to over 375 today. We are a high-performance engine for cricket in Gloucesterhire, but our machinery is exhausted.
To maintain the elite, safe playing conditions required for the West of England Premier League, a new heavy-duty roller is now non-negotiable. For years, every penny that should have gone into our equipment was swallowed by legal fees.
We have been fortunate to have the support of Auto-Roller in 2025 and 2026, but to ensure we never have to compromise on player safety or pitch quality again, we must secure our own permanent machinery. A new roller for our required needs set us back over £30,000.
Why your support matters now
Our clubhouse, built during the height of COVID, has become a vital hub for the village. From hosting private hirings to our massive annual "Kingsfest" beer and cider festival which attracts thousands of locals, we must keep this facility modern, welcoming, and sustainable.
However, maintaining this facility requires a level of investment we simply couldn't afford while we were fighting for our life in court.
We are asking you to help us turn a "saved ground" into a "perfect pitch."
How you can play your part
Previously, we asked for any donation, no matter how small or large. That remains our plea today as we transition from surviving to thriving.
Please scroll down to explore our Crowdfunder rewards. Every pound goes directly into the soil of Charlton Kings.
- 2026 Annual Membership: The simplest way to help our pre-season cash flow if you're an existing member.
- The 100 Club: A monthly prize draw where you can win while you support.
- Plus much more...
We saved the ground together. Now, let’s protect our future.
Whether you are a lifelong member or have never stepped foot on the grass, we would love to see you this summer. If the weather holds, you will find a game or a training session in full swing almost every Saturday afternoon and midweek evening in the Summer. Our gates are always open to everyone, so please do wander up, bring the dog, the kids, and even the neighbour. Come and see for yourself the vibrant community you are helping to protect.
Find Us at Ryeworth Fields
You can find us at the heart of the village, just off Ryeworth Road (GL52 6LU). There is on-street parking available, though we always encourage a walk or a cycle up to the ground if you’re local.
To keep up with match fixtures, training times, and the latest from the bar -including the countdown to Kingsfest - follow us on our socials below:
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made