Shepley Cricket Club might be heading into Bank Holiday Monday’s Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Challenge Cup final as underdogs but they’re ready to scrap. Talking to 1st XI captain Danny Glover, there’s a steeliness in knowing they’ve already dumped a number of quality sides out of
Patrick Neal is having a frankly ridiculous season with the bat and so I picked up the phone to find out more. The opening bat has played for Mirfield CC for decades and has represented Yorkshire Over 60s for a couple of seasons now. 📸 Pat (below left) is pictured with
Johnny Barnett is the winner of June’s Yorkshire Tea Community Cricket Award and we had a natter by phone to talk about his journey in the game. Volunteering at Stainland Cricket Club began in 2021 with Johnny coaching the juniors while he has since turned his efforts to supporting
Bowling Old Lane Cricket Club is full of surprises - and that won’t be the last time I think that on my visit to BD5. Situated off Birch Lane, the Bradford Premier League outfit have a story to tell beyond the long history of this proud community club who joined
Claire Bassindale was Highly Commended in May’s Yorkshire Tea Community Cricket Awards and I caught up with Claire to learn how she got involved and the successes since at Otley CC. Her award nomination for last month read: ‘Without Claire being such a huge part of our cricket club
The Super 1s programme offers young people, aged 12-25, with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or a disability the opportunity to take part in cricket. It is funded by Lord’s Taverners and runs across towns and cities meaning that those who attend can benefit from free cricket sessions by
Nasa Hussain, Head Groundsman at Bradford Park Avenue cricket ground, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Announced in The Gazette, the UK’s official record since 1665, the citation read: THE KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the
It’s Friday night at Bingley Congs Cricket Club. Having walked across the park and clambered over a wobbly gate inelegantly, the view is of junior cricket in all directions. On the second pitch, a game is underway as the young bowler gets some advice from one of the Congs
This interview with Hoylandswaine Cricket Club is about big-name signings, paying players, junior development and the swirling debate over ambition and fast-tracking success. The club’s secretary Tony Harrison was on good form, answering any and all questions, however blunt I was, sometimes with a dead bat or
Tom Jenkins shares the incredible annual feat of how cricket fixtures at grassroots need to knit together, creating 2,000+ over his winter. Where do I start trying to describe the winter of 2024-25 that I’ve had. As I write this I’m sunbathing in Gran Canaria. I’
The premise for this look at Baildon Cricket Club was their promotion to the Premier Division of the Bradford Premier League. In the world of professional football, promotion to the Premier League comes with a chance to win millions and the need to strengthen your squad accordingly. At the top
Named Schools Coach of the Year at the 2024 Chance to Shine Awards, Owen Batchelor has an intriguing background you likely won't know. We catch up on Zoom; a rare moment of quiet for a teacher who has taken his love of cricket and channelled it into inspiring
Anthony McGrath, Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s new Men’s Head Coach, is discussing the fact that he’s only just arrived but is already going on tour. It was announced in October that the former Essex Director of Cricket had signed a five-year contract with Yorkshire. His pedigree
Grace Pearson is Head of Women & Girls for the Yorkshire Cricket Board and is my guest on the Cricket Yorkshire Podcast for this episode. We discuss her role overseeing the strategic vision, as well as looking back at some of key moments from this year and thinking ahead to
Mike Sansbury is General Manager of The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley and my latest guest on the Cricket Yorkshire Podcast. Half an hour whistles by as he discusses the importance of independent bookshops, some of his favourite cricket books and playing the game over the years. If you like books,
Rachael Mackenzie has an extraordinary story to tell. A thai boxing class at university ultimately led to incredible success in a rise to the top of the women's world rankings in two weight categories. A switch to boxing was no less impressive as she became England boxing champion
