I was surprised to learn that Shipley Providence Cricket Club, who play at the Salts ground in Saltaire, are going to fold.
The West Yorkshire club, whose two sides were in the Dales Council Cricket League, have cleared their ground equipment and the trustees will be winding things up.
It’s a historic ground that doesn’t look like it will host cricket in 2024.
Photo: Dennis Ham
Before Shipley Providence, Salts Cricket Club had 59 years in the Bradford League on that ground, and can be traced back to the 1850s when Titus Salt built a model village for his workers (Saltaire) and wanted a cricket club for their leisure time.
Salts became five-time champions in the Bradford League and also lifted the Priestley Cup in 1958 but their fortunes declined until a final season in 2005. To read more on their history, see this excellent feature by Reg Nelson).
(Incidentally, I’ve referenced the Salts CC ground but there’s also Saltaire Cricket Club, now in the Aire-Wharfe League but formerly of the Bradford League for many years, who play in Roberts Park on the other side of the river.)
When we moved to Yorkshire, we rented a place outside Saltaire and on a walk along the Leeds-Liverpool canal, I discovered the Salts cricket ground and resolved to see if I could get a game.
Back then, there was still a bit of the corrugated iron fencing on the towpath that was, I imagine, a piece of rusting memorabilia from the old Bradford League or Yorkshire 2nd XI days where fans would get in from that side.
Play-Cricket has me there for barely an instant but I fondly recall a season or two where I got wickets and was also effortlessly pumped for six into the canal a few times too.
I also have recollections of the year they did pre-season ground prep with weedkiller. The forecast was for heavy rain only for it to completely shift to a freakish dry spell for weeks and hey presto, our glorious outfield died and resembled the surface of Mars.
I saw the England players were concerned about the loose Dharamsala outfield at the HPCA Stadium for their World Cup fixture. I guess they’ve never experienced the hazards of a long barrier after a barren Spring in the Dales Council. Mouthguards were advisory.
I have another memory of that outfield actually. With long barriers.
While I was swotting up for my Level 2 cricket coaching course, I enlisted my wife to act as a willing fielder over a series of bleak January days outdoors while I taught her how to do various fielding drills.
Now, if that’s not love, I don’t know what is.
I recall that the fortunes of Shipley ‘Prov’ (as they’re widely known, with the ‘Providence’ a nod to the way that some cricket clubs were once church sides) fluctuated and in more recent years, they went down to one team.
That changed when there was an influx of teams from former Wetherby League clubs that allowed Shipley Prov to start a second XI for 2022.
For what looks like their final season, Shipley Providence first XI finished sixth in Division B of the Dales Council and their second XI came third in Division D.
What happened, I imagine, you’re asking?
Principally, it was time for the trio of long-serving volunteers to stand down and there were no replacements.
Volunteering to run a cricket club is not for everyone, after all.
I understand some of the current Shipley Prov squad members could migrate over to Green Hammerton to play for their second XI in the Dales Council.
A cricket club coming to the end of the road is a moment for pause.
It’s a credit to those who have invested so much time over many years and perhaps a sign of the times that there isn’t always the back-up with volunteers.
I write that with no judgement by the way, having been both casual player and diehard committee member at different points over decades.
It would be a terrific shame if another cricket ground was lost in Yorkshire.
There is a widespread shortage, allied with a surge in demand and more teams coming along.
I was never much good at maths but even I can see that equation doesn’t balance – but it’s a complicated picture with many moving parts.
I understand that the trustees of the sports club at Salts have decided there will be no cricket in 2024, with an open mind to its return beyond that.
My observation?
When a cricket ground becomes something else, whether that’s a horse pasture or a football field then it very rarely returns to its former life.
Unlike a club itself that might have naturally run its course, I am strangely protective of grounds. Surely Salts, with its history, may deserve the cricket equivalent of a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Salts is a vibrant sports club in its own right with football, tennis and bowls – I hope it hears leather on willow again too.
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Wonder if Saltaire CC could use the ground in any way for 3rd / midweek junior cricket? Don’t know what their set up is like but if they have a thriving set up there then it may be a way to keep cricket going and give Saltaire CC extra field capacity?
Thanks Kevin, sure there will be demand from a club for 2025 to have a ground like that to call home.
I was down there on Wednesday,unfortunately they have squeezed another’s football field across the square,junior football unbelievable
Having played at Prov both at the old ground and at Salts from 2004-2009 I was really sad to hear of their demise. We worked really hard to pick the club up from nothing to the top of Division A in a relatively short period. It’s a big shame that there will be no cricket at Salts and do hope it isn’t converted into full sized football pitches as it would be a travesty and disrespectful to the history the ground holds.
Thanks Ashley, it is sad, they had 2 teams again and were seemingly in a good place on the field.
Thanks for the story.
Dear John,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to convey that there are individuals and clubs keenly interested in the possibility of continuing cricket at the Salts ground. If the trustees are open to exploring this opportunity, please let us know. Preserving the cricketing legacy at Salts is a priority for us, and we are ready to contribute to its continuity in any way possible.
Looking forward to the prospect of further discussion,
Hi Hafiz, good to hear from you as always. Sure it’s worth a direct conversation with the trustees at salts sports club to look at options. Good luck with it.
Dear John,
Thank you for your message. I share your sentiment and agree that a direct conversation with the trustees at Salts Sports Club could be beneficial in exploring potential options. However, I have received a final decision from the trustees that the cricket pitch will not be available for the next season. They have indicated that no further correspondence or inquiries will be entertained regarding this matter.
While this decision is disheartening, I appreciate your support and encouragement. If there are any developments in the future, I will be sure to keep you informed.
Best regards,
Hafiz
Hi Hafiz, I hope you’re keeping well and fingers crossed there can be a change of heart about use of Salts for cricket before too long.
The need from local teams is certainly there. All the best, John.
Hi jhon.
we are playing on Sunday league from last three years now looking for a ground on Sunday can you please let us know if the ground is available on Sunday.looking forward for your response.
kind regards.
Hi Waleed, my understanding was that the sports club wasn’t looking to have a cricket team play at Salts in 2024 but that might change so I would contact them directly if you’re interested.
Good luck with finding a ground.
thanks for your reply jhon please if you can contact Salt cc and ask them its much appreciated.if you want me to contact with them then please provide me salts Cc direct contact number or email.my contact number is 07901246987 and email adress is [email protected] email or send me text Salt Cc contact details.
Hi Waleed, you’ll have to do that yourself. I’m not involved with Salts. You can find Salts FC via Google and track them down from there.
Uncle Colin has twenty numbered disks and lots of spare tickets at ten Bob a pop I’m sure he would pass on to any new team interested. long live uncle Colin
A sad end to a club with so much history. I have played against Shipley Prov many times over the years at their old ground on Coach Road next to canal and current ground. Played against many good people Colin White Syd Marsden Jack King Barry Thorp Don Pattinson Richard Atkinson to name a few had many good games against them and was a fixture always looked forward to as good set of lads. Shame all hard work over years amounts to club folding. Unfortunately the club ethic has diluted for many clubs where players turn up to play and leave. No socialising no team ground prep etc. Things which I was taught is vital to survival of club.
Shame to see end of another cricket club. Played many times against them and enjoyed many good games. Colin White Jack King Barry Thorp Syd Marsden Don Pattison Richard Atkinson to name a few players enjoyed playing against on both old ground or last ground. Unfortunately a trend in local sport is players playing and going home and not being clubmen. The social side and ground prep wad always told important part of team building as well as vital lifeline to clubs.