Keeping village cricket alive

Fixtures dating from Wooler’s first cricket club and the current team from the ‘new’ club which opened in 1962 60 seasons - not out

“As 10cc’s song goes ‘we don’t like cricket - we love it’,” says Richard Waters.

Richard is chairman of Wooler Cricket Club and together with his fellow enthusiasts, is keen to make sure a great village tradition has an equally great future - by recruiting more young people to play.

Following two years of Covid restrictions, they’re now keen to bring on new players - of both sexes.

This season will hopefully see the first ladies team to emerge from the pavilion and they’re planning to field two junior teams.

“Cricket has been played in the town since the 1860s. Originally known as Glendale Cricket Club, it played at Bridge End farm,” says Richard.

“Both World Wars had a big effect on the club as play was suspended while many local men went off to fight, several never to return.

“After WW2 ended, the six year break was too long for the club to sustain. Play did not start again until 1962.”

The club’s revival was due to a dedicated group of cricket lovers including the late headmaster of Glendale Secondary Modern School, Mr Robson. He knew that two of his staff were keen cricketers (Ian Hogg and Graham Rendall) and he felt a cricket club would provide weekly sporting recreation for the town’s young men.

The club’s first president, the late Colonel Sale, negotiated with the Collingwood family to acquire the Knock-Well shooting lodge near Lilburn. It was transported to the Brewery Road ground in 1964 and served the club’s needs for 20 years until the present pavilion was erected by club members and local tradesmen who supplied their services free of charge. Many improvements have been made over the years, the latest being an electricity supply.

The club entered the Dunstanburgh League in the late 1960s before joining the Alnwick and District Cricket League in 1976. Wooler CC has had many successes over the years. League champions in 1980, 1983 and 1987 as well as being runners-up on several occasions, they also won the Vice-Presidents Cup, Tate Cup and the Twenty20 Cup numerous times.

Wooler Cricket Club is keen to encourage the next generation of cricketers and on Monday evenings there is coaching for 5-8 year olds at the ground. The youngsters are enrolled on the English Cricket Board’s ‘AllStars’ programme while 8-11 year olds are enrolled into the ‘Dynamos’ programme, and coached on the same night. Coaches are fully qualified and DBS checked. There is also coaching for 7 -14 yr olds on Friday evenings which is very popular. The club has fielded both an under 11 yrs and an under 13 yrs team in matches over the last few years and hopes more youngsters will join.

In 2014 the Alnwick League merged with the Northumberland League and Wooler were champions of Division 3 in 2016. A merger of the Northumberland League and the Northumberland and Tyneside leagues resulted in Wooler playing in Division 6 (North).

Always a family club, the ladies traditionally took on the roles of fundraising and providing cricket teas - to much acclaim. But, as befits this day and age, they are now stepping out from the kitchen and the club is looking for players to form a ladies team this summer.

Wooler CC has a great reputation for the quality of its wicket and ground. In 2017 it was again voted the ‘best’ ground in Northumberland - a tribute to the excellent work undertaken by many people over many years.

“It is a wonderful setting for cricket and opposing teams always look forward to their trips to Wooler to play on one of the best playing surfaces in Northumberland,” says Richard.

One man who has put in many hours keeping the wicket in such good condition is Ian Clarke. Ian, a mainstay of the club, has played in more than 1100 matches. He’s amassed 22,000 runs as an opening batsman.

Like many clubs, Wooler CC is now looking for new recruits to ensure they can field a full side, both this season and in years to come.

Senior players have practice sessions on Wednesday evenings and anyone who is interested in taking up cricket - or returning to it - would be very welcome.

To find out more contact either Richard Waters on 07525 211485 or Ian Clarke on 07743 573613.