Macclesfield: Kerridge Cricket Club 'at risk of folding' unless it attracts more players
By Alex Greensmith
17th Jul 2024 | Local Sport
A local grassroots sports club has put out a public appeal for new members, as it is at risk at folding.
Kerridge Cricket Club, located on Clarke Lane in Bollington, is seeking new players to join the team.
The club - which also has an associated bowls club that started five years ago - faces an uncertain future with a low number of readily available players.
Macclesfield Nub News went to Kerridge Cricket Club to find out more.
John Grayston is Chair of Kerridge Cricket Club.
"We're a local community sports club, here to support the community and provide a place of recreation for them and our cricket players," said John.
"I've been playing for over ten years, and chair since 2020.
"Over the last couple of years, we have had more players going out than coming in. It has never been like that.
"It is the general direction of travel for this sort of level as a whole.
"A lot of cricket teams have fallen by the wayside. A lot of teams we historically played no longer exist."
"Teams like Capenhust, Eastham and Bronbrough, and Saughall [which folded last year] have folded.
"We've had some Sri Lankan players come in which has helped a lot.
"We have a squad that is still relatively big, but their availability is poor.
"And we need to fulfil our recent fixtures."
If they don't have enough players to play in their fixtures, the club will be fined.
While the club isn't in immediate financial peril, as it owns their own ground and clubhouse which both can be rented by the community, it needs more bowlers and batsmen to preserve the club's future.
Currently, they only have enough players for one men's team. There are not enough players for a women's or children's team at Kerridge.
The club used to have two teams, until 2014.
League Rep and Play Cricket Admin Adam Banks has been part of the club since 1989, when he was a child which lived literally opposite the ground.
"I remember a time as a junior that you couldn't get into the team here, the competition was that strong," said Adam.
"We have had lots of overseas players.
"I don't even live around here anymore but I still come here."
Adam's 35-year affiliation with the club has included him captaining Kerridge to silverware in 2012.
Their most recent trophies have come in 2018 and 2014.
Currently, they are having a tough period results wise in Cheshire Cricket League Division 3.
However, the club recently celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2023, which they marked with a newly-renovated clubhouse that can be rented for use by the community.
When asked why it would be a shame if the club were to fold, John had this to say: "Because we have existed for 100 years," he shared.
"Fundamentally, we want to keep the tradition going.
"We have a really good facility out there, it is a really good cricket square.
"Cricket is a great way to spend your Saturday, people from all over the community come down and watch us."
"We play to win, but we also don't take ourselves too seriously. And you don't get that sort of vibe at a lot of other clubs.
"We are keen to make people aware we are here, introduce people to cricket and reintroduce it to people who haven't done it for years.
"We are a friendly club that welcomes all-comers.
"If people want to get involved, come and have a practice. You don't have to pay for training."
Beyond that, the membership price is low to make it accessible for everyone.
They have a pay-as-you-play model that fits your financial circumstances, e.g low wages, younger people pay less.
As well as signing up as a player, there are other ways that the community can help the at-risk club.
Kerridge Cricket Club is presently sponsored by Barrows Butchers, and they also work closely with Holmes Naden. More sponsorship opportunities are also available.
The club has a bowling green, and the pitch can be used for football for another way of income.
While the club are on the brink of folding, the show must go on for this season.
Their next home games are against Heaton Mersey Village this Saturday, then against Wistaston on August 3.
Following this, their last three home games of the campaign are against Offerton on August 17, Frodsham on August 24, and Winsford on September 7. All matches begin at 12:30pm.
The club, which takes their logo from the pre-war windmill in Kerridge, also seek anyone who can make a difference such as event staff, coaches, groundwork and more.
Macclesfield: You can get in touch and find more about the club on their X account or this website. Enquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].
A recent YouGov survey found that basketball, skateboarding and ice hockey are more popular physical activities than cricket in the UK.
According to Statista, the number of active cricketers continues to fall in the UK. Nub News has requested to the England and Wales Cricket Board for comment, and if they have any statistics on the current number of clubs in the UK.
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