James Disney, who was plumber, joined to fill the wicket keeping slot for many years.
"G G" Walker, a farmer, began his successful career with the club and George Porter, a chimney sweep, put in an early appearance.
Other shorter term arrivals were William Page a boilermaker, and John Clayton, of a tanning company in Chesterfield, who both played for another year.
Harry Topham, an Old Reptonian at Cambridge University, made his only appearance in the 1881 season.
Players who made their last appearances were William Rigley who had played his first match in 1873 and retired to become an umpire and coach and John Tye who had first appeared in 1874 and left to run a pub in Yorkshire where he was a notable performer for his local team for many years.
The match ended in a draw but featured strong performances in the Colts from G Porter bowling and JJ Disney batting.
Both these players joined the first team in the season but only two other members of the Colts side played for the club - Wallis Evershed in 1882 and Guy Earle in 1883.
Ludford Docker was top scorer in his debut season for the club, making 107 against Kent.