On 3rd September 1939, the world was plunged into another terrible conflict, the Second World War, which finally ended in 1945 with the victory over Japan. Naturally, many of the younger members were called up during this period for service, and by 1944 many started to return. However, due to lack of information available, the only reported casualty was that of CF Paul who was reported as missing at sea in 1944.

Unlike the period of the First World War, cricket continued to be played at Upton, but with only two sides operating.

In 1941, the Club entered the Merseyside Cricket Competition in place of Aigburth, who found it necessary to suspend their cricketing activities for the duration of the hostilities. The Club marked its debut by finishing in fifth place in the competition, playing 17, winning 7, losing 7, with 3 draws. However, their place in the Competition was only guaranteed for the duration of the Second World War.

During the period of the war, the playing ranks were swelled by players from the forces, especially the RAF Station at west Kirby, and an amicable association developed between the Club and the RAF that lasted until its closure in 1961. In fact one of our senior members, Wing Commander HJ Gemmell, was Commanding Officer at the Station for a period of time.

1944

Little is known about this period in the Club's history. M. Stern was still the President, A.A. Holliday the Chairman, J.H. Schofield the Vice-Chairman, N. Fraser the Secretary, L.J. Wain the Treasurer, with F.J. Callaghan the Fixture Secretary. Other officials remain a mystery, although it is known that the paid full time groundsman was A. Ithell.

During the Winter season, the ground was used by Upton Ladies Hockey Club.

During the period April / May, repairs to the pavilion costing £16-10-8 (Approx. £16.57) were carried out and the first movers to replace the existing pavilion were recorded in September. In October, the "Pavilion Fund" was opened with £120 being invested in 3% Defence Bonds.

With a new pavilion under strong consideration, "Buddy", the founder of the Club, obtained a copy of the lease drawn up in 1938, and discovered that the owner, Leverhulme Estates, had wide powers to terminate the tenancy. A letter was written to Lord Leverhulme (see separate tab) stating the case from the Club's perspective.

On the cricket scene, coaching sessions were organised by G. Smokel for one evening per week throughout the season, his fee being 5 shillings (25p) per hour. It was decided not to enter the Port Sunlight Knock Out Cup (later to become the Lever Cup). N.J. Halsall scored over 1,000 runs for the season, in recognition of which he received a bat at the end of the season. In a remarkable game against Birkenhead St. Mary's at Birkenhead park, N.J. Halsall scored 105, H. williams and A.J. Steele scoring 72 and 66 respectively, out of a total of 309 for 7 declared.

1944 also saw the Club reach the £500 mark for money raised for Charity during the war period, the main beneficiary being the Birkenhead General Hospital, the money being raised by running a series of cricket matches on a representative basis.

1945

The year saw the end of the Second World War, and the Club were able to welcome back a number of old faces. The end of hostilities also meant losing the services of the forces members who were stationed in the district.

July 1945 saw Club take a giant stride into the twentieth century, electricity being laid on to the pavilion at a cost pf £28-5-9, the trench being dug by Club members to save money.

In August it was decided to proceed with the creation of two hard tennis courts at an approximate cost of £300.

With the ground still being used during the winter months by Upton Ladies Hockey team, September saw Mr. Williams, the Head Groundsman at Old Trafford, vist the Club to offer his advice as to the care and maintenance of the grounds.

To mark VJ Day, there was a "special" match staged with all married members playing against the "single" gentlemen. Unfortunately there are no details of the game. The following day, there was another "special" match against the Ladies.

On the cricket scene, the 1st XI under the captaincy of J.J. Jones has a good season, finishing in third place in the competition, winning nine out of their fifteen matches.

1946

The year saw the country and of course the Club returning to normal after the war years. With this return to normality, it was decided to once again run a 3rd XI, together with a junior team.

The Club did however face a major crisis, a meeting being held at Victory Hall, Upton, regarding the possibility of the Compulsory Purchase of the ground for housing purposes. Fortunately, the crisis was averted, possibly due to the intervention of one of our influential members, who will remain anonymous for posterity.

Messrs. Bothwell and Smith were present at the AGM of the Merseyside Cricket Competition to put forward the Club's proposal to join the Competition on a permanent basis following their participation during the War period. Fortunately, this proposal was accepted, and Upton became full time members of the Merseyside Cricket Competition.

During the War period the back ground had not been maintained, and it was therefore not surprising that it was not up to standard. In July, official complaints were made to the Governing Committee regarding the state of the ground by members of the £rd XI. This was followed by a complaint by Wallasey Cricket Club who threatened to omit the Club from their fixture list if improved facilities were not offered. Taking these complaints seriously, it was decided to hire an assistant groundsman.

The Ways and Means Committee did an excellent job throughout the year, the highlight being the Gymkhana, making a profit of £366-16-6, which in those days was quite a remarkable sum.

The 1st XI, under the captaincy of N.J. Halsall had a good season, winning 6 of their 13 matches, finishing in third position.

1947

The year was again marked by various changes and improvements. The tearoom, which existed until 2014, was provided and a cricket hut was erected on the back ground for use as changing rooms.

One significant change was the bar being opened on sunday evenings for the first time ever. This was following a vote at the AGM on 24th February to permit Sunday cricket to be played. The first fixture was against SK Reakes XI on 11th May. In addition, a wireless set was donated and installed in the pavilion.

The Club also made the first of its unsuccessful attempts to gain admission to the Liverpool & District Cricket Competition. In view of the condition of the ground, the Club initiated a visit from Mr. Godseff, the Superintendent at Arrowe park, and he concluded that the drains needed attention.

W.A. Bothwell, the Fixture Secretary, offered his resignation, following the third occasion on which the Club had cancelled the 3rd XI fixture with Tranmere Victoria due to lack of players. The crisis was averted when the Governing Committee tightened the rule regarding availability and "ticking off".

Unfortunately there are limited playing records but we do know that C.R. Barker scored 1,000 runs (for which he received a bat in recognition of his feat) and F.J. Callaghan made his last appearance as a playing member. The 1st XI finished fifth in the league, winning 10 of the 20 games they played.

1948

The year saw only one major change in the Club's officials, with G.A. Fuller succeeding J.H. Schofield as Vice-Chairman. During the year however, J.A. Johnson the Assistant secretary, took over as secretary as S.A. Smith had to leave the area due to business commitments. He was made a Life Member in recognition of his services to the Club.

Due to financial difficulties from the previous year, it was decided that the Bar Committee should tighten up the system of running the bar, and it was later decided that the Committee should try and run the bar without paid assistance. One other matter concerning the bar was that ladies were excluded from the bar until after 8.30pm on match days.

The new tearoom erected the previous year was painted and curtains were made out of flour bags.

In July, a tennis pavilion was erected at a cost of £120.

Although the war had been over for almost three years, teams were still affected, and not only were clothing coupons still required for linen, the Club found the allocation of coupons for food to be insufficient for teas, and were forced to apply to the Food Office for an additional allocation. The Club also found that the petrol allowance was inadequate, and were forced to apply for an increased allocation to the Petroleum Office.

The Ways and Means committee again ran events with the highlight being the fete, raising £290-2-9.

In June, a document was presented to the Governing Committee on behalf of the Tennis Section, requesting an EGM to enable the Club Rules to be amended in order that the Cricket and Tennis sections could be granted equal representation on the Governing Committee. The matter was considered unconstitutional and was referred back to the Tennis Section who, for the time being, declined to pursue the matter any further.

Two important notes on cricket are worthy of note. The Club were placed in the unenviable position of posting a notice in the Club ground regarding poor support for outstanding fixtures, following the lamentable support for the fixture against Liverpool at Aigburth.

At the Merseyside Cricket Competition AGM held in November, it was agreed that cricket balls used in 1st XI fixtures in the Competition, must be of a reputable make, all clubs to improve the standard of umpiring and that Hoylake cricket Club be elected a member of the Competition.

The 1st XI had a reasonable season, winning seven of twenty matches played, finishing in sixth position.

1949

Season 1949, now under the captaincy of C.R. Barker, was an exceptional one for the Club, for not only did the 1st XI win the championship for the first time, but N.J. Halsall and C.R. barker each scored 1,000 runs and F. Birch took 117 wickets and J.A. Bird took 100 wickets. In addition, on 17th September, C.R. Barker and H. Jones established a Club and Competition opening batting partnership record, when the 1st XI scored 241 without loss against Waterloo Park, with C.R. Barker 136 not out and H. Jones 100 not out. In winning the championship, the 1st XI won 16 of their 21 matches and lost only one. The league was won on 10th september with the defeat of Odyssey by 5 wickets, which ensured they had a four point lead going into the final game. It was in that final game that the opening partnership record of 241 was set.

In recognition of F. Birch setting the Club record for wickets in a season, he was presented with a mounted ball at the end of the season. Unfortunately for the Club, F. Birch had to leave the country for business reasons.

The year also saw the first Sunday AN XI game on 1st May against Liverpool Electric Supply.

At the end of the season, the Club canvassed influential members of the Liverpool & District Cricket Competition with regard to the Club's application to join the competition, but again the application was unsuccessful.

The bar was again the mainstay of the Club, with F. Potter the paid bar steward. The annual fete had been replaced with a sports festival, the decision proving a sound one as £400 was raised.

1950

September marked the end of an era for the Club with the death of the President, A.M. Stern, who had held office since early 1918. The position was filled by another famous member, "Buddy" the founder of the Club, former Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Fixture Secretary and 1st XI Captain.

The problem that arose in 1948 regarding equal representation on the Governing Committee for both Cricket and Tennis sections, again came to prominence. Prior to the AGM, it was customary for both sections to inform the Governing Committee of their nominations for the various officials, offices, etc. However, the Tennis section had decided to hold a separate meeting to decide upon their various nominations, a move which was again considered by the Governing Committee to be unconstitutional. However, at the end of the year, it was finally agreed that the Cricket Section adopt the same principal, with a view to saving time at the AGM.

Following on from the previous season's success on the field, the Club received a set back at the AGM, for the previous year's captain, C.R. Barker, was for some unknown reason opposed by a section of the meeting, who supported the nomination of R.H. Corless. R.H. Corless was not present at the meeting, and it appears his nomination was made without his prior knowledge. The nomination upset C.R. Barker, who left the AGM, and his Vice-Captain, L.W. Ashworth, a member of long-standing, also took offence, and joined C.R. Barker in leaving the Club. Although being elected as 1st XI captain, R.H. Corless had to inform the Governing Committee that his business commitments would limit his ability to carry out the full duties of captain. In spite of the problems of the Club Captaincy, the 1st XI had a very good season, playing 212, winning 10 and finishing runners up in the competition.

At the same AGM, it was proposed by Mr. Holmes that there be an annual "Hot Pot Supper" held after Christmas every year for members and friends, but this occasion be strictly on a "men only" basis.

The year was to prove one of upsets for the Club, for in July the Treasurer, N.J. Halsall, offered his resignation following comments allegedly made by a Club member. The member concerned was confronted by the Governing Committee, and in view of his unreserved apology, the Treasurer agreed to continue in office.

The condition of the front square caused some concerns and a pipe was made available to provide adequate watering. Problems were also experienced with sanitation and a sub-committee was set up to devise a scheme to replace the existing drainage system.

The Ways and Means committee again ran their usual fund raising schemes, but the sports festival was not as successful as the previous year, only realising a profit of £150.

At the end of July, the financial situation was such that the Treasurer pointed out that at the present rate of working, the Club would show a loss of approximately £40 at the end of the year and it was decided to try and organise additional fund raising events.