Older than the Eiffel Tower, and almost as high, Austerlands have played at Thorpe Lane ever since and in 1893 were founder members of the Oldham & District Cricket League though as early as 1889 there is a record of a professional on the club's books from as far afield as Morley.

The club was also a founder member of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League in 1898 and is one of three clubs to have played in every season since, the others being Saddleworth and Greenfield.

The ground at Thorpe Lane was purchased by the club in 1937 for £200. However, a serious fire in 1958 severely damaged the pavilion and destroyed all the club's historical records and details. As a result the existing wooden structure was replaced by a brick one for an outlay of £450, around £17,000 in today's money.

In league cricket the club's unique claim to fame is winning the first division championship three times in a row from 1938, being the only side to have achieved this honour with an all amateur team.

The eigth title success in 1989 won with 105 points has only ever been bettered points-wise by Uppermill and Hollinwood and was won during a period when some if the world's finest cricketers were at Austerlands.

During the nineties the club's fortunes waned somewhat but the present co-ordinating committee have been committed to restoring the club's fortunes together with promoting junior cricket for future members during the noughties and the fruits of their policies are being enjoyed by the current generation of this 138 year old institution.

Roll on 140!