Who founded Lords? Lords is named after its founder; Thomas Lord; who by his enterprise and force of character did more than any single individual to make possible the existence of the MCC. Lord established his first cricket ground where Dorset Square now exists; and cricket was played there by May 1787. The ground was also used for pigeon shooting and hopping matches - bookmakers were a regular sight. A second site proved unpopular; and during the winter of 1813-14 the turf; which had been lifted for each move; was laid in its present position. The MCC opened their season on the new ground in June 1814. Illustration for one of a set of 50 "Do You Know?" cigarette cards issued by Carreras in 1939.