A Volunteer Gala was held on September 17th 1877 in aid of the Retford Rifles Band. The principal sports event at the gala was a two miles bicycle race for a silver-plated cup, this was run in two heats with five entries. Entries were only accepted from local people and there were also two running races. Music was provided by the Rifles Band and entertainment by comic and sentimental singers. Grotesque and fantastic balloons were released and dancing continued into the night. Admission cost sixpence.
The first Retford Annual Athletic Festival was held on 4th August 1879, in front of a crowd of over 3,000 spectators. There was a local one mile bicycle handicap race for people living within ten miles, a two miles open handicap and a three miles open race for the Retford Bicycle Club challenge cup. There were six flat races (running) and a steeplechase. The Sheffield Telegraph reported "The patrons and subscribers include some of the leading families of the county." The festival became an annual event and the 1880 meeting used a marked out grass course of eight laps to the mile.
The Retford Flower Show was held on the cricket field and from 1888 they included one and two miles bicycle handicap races. Bicycle racing became an integral part of the Flower Show sports and Retford Cyclists' Club played their part in the organisation.
11th Annual Retford Athletic Sports were held on 5th August 1889 on a new track of six laps to the mile. There were over 3,000 spectators and £90 was taken at the gate, £100 was given out in prizes so the meeting resulted in a small loss. The bicycle races were the main attraction, but the local men were outclassed in the open events with riders from Birmingham, Doncaster, Grimsby and Loughborough taking the prizes. The races were a one mile local handicap and one and two miles open handicaps.
The Retford Speedwell Cycle Club was formed in 1892 and they changed their name to the Retford Speedwell Cycling and Harriers Club in 1896. The Speedwell held their first annual sports at the cricket pitch on March 18th 1896, with two running races and a half mile bicycle handicap race. The Speedwell were also holding evening bicycle race meetings in 1896.
The 1898 Retford Athletic Sports included the Nottingham Centre NCU 5 miles Championship race and one and two miles bicycle races. Betting was prohibited at the sports, but it took place, even though there was a police presence. The Retford Speedwell Cycling Club started to include a one mile club race in the sports.
The Retford Cricket Club took over the annual sports in 1904 and ran them in the same way continuing up to the First World War. The well supported event continued after the war but only lasted until 1921, when they stopped for good.
Retford Cricket Club still play at the ground.