LAST STAND: 140-year-old cricket club on the brink of folding

HISTORIC Wentworth Cricket Club is in danger of folding due to a lack of players.
By David Beddows
Published 15th Nov 2017, 11:22 BST
Updated 15th Nov 2017, 11:31 BST
PICTURESQUE...but despite their setting and good sponsorship, Wentworth CC continue to struggle for players.PICTURESQUE...but despite their setting and good sponsorship, Wentworth CC continue to struggle for players.
PICTURESQUE...but despite their setting and good sponsorship, Wentworth CC continue to struggle for players.

The club, a feature of the picturesque village since 1876, has made repeated attempts to bring in new blood to boost depleted numbers.

Now officials have put out a winter SOS through the Advertiser to try and attract new blood and give it a chance of starting the 2018 season.

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Secretary Gareth Hobson said: “It seems so hard to sign players in the current day and God knows we have tried.

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“We've used Facebook and we've approached players but the 2018 season could see our squad almost fully depleted by commitments and availability issues. The bottom line is that the club we all love could have to fold unless we can address this issue.”

Wentworth play in the South Yorkshire Senior League, Rotherham Midweek League and compete as Fitzwilliam with neighbouring Scholes CC in the Barnsley Sunday League.

“For the last eight years or so Wentworth CC have been on an upward spike. Unfortunately it would seem that this could be about to take a turn for the worse,” added Gareth.

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“2017 was a massive struggle for us as a club and we found on more and more occasions that we could not field our strongest XI due to player commitments, injuries or other reasons. We narrowly avoided relegation for the second year running.

“Off the field the situation couldn't be more different. We have managed to secure another three years' sponsorship from Wentworth Garden Centre and we finally have everything in place at the ground to give us fantastic facilities and equipment that most other clubs in the surrounding area would love to have such as covers, nets and an artificial wicket.”

Gareth believes the problem is that less people are playing cricket, probably due to the time pressures of modern life. But the social and health benefits of the game, not to mention Wentworth's idyllic set-up at Clayfield Lane, ought to be a pull for prospective players.

Added Gareth: “The club has been around since 1876 on and off and has always been a feature of the village. I know it will break the hearts of the committee and the players if we have to let it go after all the hard work in the last few years.”

Fancy playing cricket at Wentworth Cricket Club? Experience or ability is not an issue, everyone will be welcome to the nets.

Contact Gareth Hobson on 07581 226695

Related topics:Wentworth