A Sheffield United Cricket Club was first formed to ensure the building and management of the ground at Bramall Lane that had been acquired for the purpose of cricket. They were a collection of men from seven different clubs in Sheffield but a team representing Sheffield United did not form for another 40 years. The ground was regularly used for Yorkshire representative games and an England v Australia Ashes Test match was played at Bramall Lane in 1902, the visitors winning by 143 runs. The first United side played in 1892, the same year that the football club achieved election to the Football League, 24 years after Wednesday FC had first played there! The aims of the club were certainly noble ones and still hold true today, in that the club were "...to develop cricketing talent in Sheffield and the surrounding districts...".

It was 1896 before the first trophy was won, the Sheffield Challenge Cup against Kilnhurst. In 1900, United were founder members of the Yorkshire League, and were regularly at the successful end of the table, although winning the championship was not easy, illustrated by its capture happening just twice before the Great War. However, between the two world wars, United embarked on a golden era, collecting the Council Championship eight times, losing only eight games in that time, a phenomenal record. This was the period where names such as Jack Elms and Arthur Buckley were synonymous.

Early Bramall Lane

The return to playing following WWII heralded the arrival of some of the biggest names in the club's history. Fred Truman appeared with his father for a trial and made his debut in the third team. By July he was in the first team and not long after he was with Yorkshire. The immediate post war period also saw Eric Burgin, Bill Cummins, Frank Melling and Bruce Oakes start a long association with the club. Between them they have played for many of the club's sides and held every "office" position in the club.

The Yorkshire League was not rejoined until 1953, United remaining loyal to the local Council league that first restarted after the war. However, under the leadership of Melling, they finished out of the top three just three times in 13 years; being champions three times and runners-up five times. The contribution to this success of ex-Derbyshire pro George Pope was huge, but the shrewd captaining of a player of such profile was a major factor. This era also included a period of rebuilding as Burgin, Billy Oates, Pope and Eddie Edwards also left the first XI. Undeterred, Melling created another side capable of domination. Recruits came from across the county to play under Melling as his reputation was further enhanced.  Newcomers included Jack Bethel, Alan Kettleborough and Johnny Naylor. In announcing his final year in 1965, Melling gave his side all the encouragement they needed for one last push for the championship after several near misses. Despite the skipper's feeling that "things like that just don't happen", the league was won by 5 points. There was much upheaval over the next 10 years that meant it was almost impossible for the club to capture the League title.

The result was the cricket club leaving Bramall Lane in 1973. Despite this, significant additions to the club arrived in the form of Bill Roberts and the returning Burgin. The move from Bramall Lane to Dore meant a change in attitude for the players and members of the club, as the members had to prepare pitches themselves rather than being able to rely on Bramall Lane staff. The mid 70s saw a depressive air sweep through the club as a battle to find a suitable new ground continued, but eventually the club moved to the present Bawtry Road site. This move did not bring an immediate improvement in performance as the club finished third from bottom, third from bottom and next to bottom from 1980-2. However key decisions had been made that would improve the club long term. In 1980, u13, u15 and u18 teams were launched and this created a pool of youth resource that would pay dividends in later years.

The appointment of Bill Roberts in the mid eighties brought the return to championship challenging ways at United. During this time, Shaun Beck and Martin Barlow established themselves as one of the best opening partnerships in the club's history. Ably backed up by Dave Shutt and Martin Hill and with a sound bowling line-up, including the raw Devon Malcom, this was a side to be reckoned with. This improvement was encapsulated by the capture of three successive Yorkshire League titles from 1985-7. 1985 was a fantastic year for the whole club as the 2nd XI finished third in the Ridings league and the 3rd XI and 4th XI won promotion in their respective leagues. 1986 was again a golden year with Yorkshire League success and the 2nd XI reaching the league cup final; the momentum was with the club and it was much welcomed after the bleak period following departure from the Lane.  Like Melling before him, Roberts announced he was standing down before the 1987 season had started, and the similarities did not end there as the hat-trick of titles was secured.

The 90's saw a decline in fortunes as other clubs continued to recruit professionals for significant sums of money, whilst United nobly continued to its development of home grown players. Several players received county recognition at junior level but unfortunately they did not stick around long enough for the squad to mature into what could have been another great United side.

The development of the indoor school had much to do with the improving youth, mainly due to a tremendous amount of work done initially by David Bingley and Joe Jennings and followed up by Chris Watson in running the school, who also captained the 1st XI during this time. However, the full potential for such a project was not realised and following protracted talks, the whole site was sold to Sheffield Hallam University with the club assuming the role of primary tenants. The club has had a period of decline in fortune in the early part of the new millenium with the 2nd and 3rd XIs suffering successive relegations, but have bounced back in fine style to again compete in the upper levels of the South Yorkshire and Sheffield Leagues respectively.

The signs for the future are excellent with 2008 being an unprecedented year for the junior section. Three out of four age groups won their district competition (the others were runners up) and the u15 side were worthy county champions, and so there is a great opportunity to again make SUCC a force to be reckoned with. A fresh attitude is sweeping through the club, with a fine batch of young players currently looking to establish themselves, the challenge for United in the coming seasons is to ensure that there are sufficient senior players to encourage them further and add their name to the others that have served this fine club so well.

Also, in 2008, the club organised and hosted the South Yorkshire Twenty20 tournament. This recent addition to the game, with coloured clothing and white balls pitched the best sides in the area against each other and Treeton won the first tournament, and the profile of the club was raised as the club looked to push cricket forward.  These are exciting times at Bawtry Road.