The Goers will celebrate 125 years of existence in February with an official celebration of past players and supporters.

They will be hoping to get their anniversary season off to a winning start when the first XI clashes with reigning Bendigo District Cricket Association premier Sandhurst at Atkins Street Oval on Saturday.

The club’s origins can be traced back to the early 1850s after the discovery of gold and played socially in the Sunday Schools Cricket Association in the 1894-95 season.

It was originally known as the Forest Street Methodist Comrades.

The club then played in the second eleven BDCA competition in 1907-08 as the Comrades, and in 1912-13 was promoted to the first XI.

Before the 1924-25 season, the club underwent a name change and has taken the field as the Bendigo Cricket Club ever since.

The club, along with Golden Square, were the only established clubs to continue during World War Two and managed to field teams with the assistance of players from Eaglehawk, Sandhurst and Bendigo United, which had all gone into recess.

Bendigo has a long and proud history and in a 28 year stretch from 1939-40 to 1966-67 featured in 24 first XI finals series and 14 grand finals for seven premierships.

Jack Runnalls, a former player and member of the 125th celebration organising committee hailed this as the club’s ‘most successful era’.

It produced many stars, including Ken Francis, whose 776 wickets remain as a BDCA record,

Laurie Meyer, Noel Arthur, Bill Phillips, Doug Laity, Ian Aitken, Ray Johns and Rodney Warne.

Overall the club has won 13 premierships, with the last being in 1993-94 with Mark Ryan, a member of that side still playing, and approaching his 300th game.

The Goers made a welcome return to the finals last year losing the semi-final to Strathdale-Maristians.

For 2018-19, Shane Koop has been joined as co-coach by the returning Nathan Fitzpatrick, who has returned to the club after a successful year with North Geelong.

With Kyle Humphrys, the reigning BDCA cricketer of the year again on-board, the Goers expect to have another good year on the field.

Humphrys led all Goers players in 2017-18 with 741 runs and was their joint leading wicket-taker with 28 in a brilliant all-round debut season.

An official celebration for all past players and supporters will be held on February 23, at Bendigo Stadium. Official tickets will go on sale soon.

Anyone wanting to provide memorabilia suitable for use on the night is asked to contact Peter Kelly on 0412 374 894.

For further details visit the Bendigo Cricket Club 125 Not Out Celebration February 2019.