Staley Cricket ClubA cricket club in Greater Manchester said they had reached the “pinnacle” of their 153-year history as they prepare for their first final in the National Village Cup at Lords later.
Members of Stalybridge’s Stayley Cricket Club will face defending champions Foxton Granta, based in Cambridge, when they take to the grass at the world-renowned cricket ground in London this afternoon.
It will be the first time the Tameside club has played at the home of English cricket in a competition they first entered in 2021.
Club captain Nick Woodhead, who scored the winning run in the semi-final against 2024 runners-up Dumbleton, said the final would be “massive for the club and our biggest achievement”.
The competition was established in 1972 and some 300 village clubs take part annually.
To qualify a village must be surrounded on all sides by open countryside.
Mr Woodhead said the semi-final victory in August was emotional, adding: “It was unreal – standing in the middle and seeing all the supporters.
“As soon as the ball went over the boundary, you see all the lads running on the pitch celebrating together – it was a dream come true to get to the final.”
The club’s players range in age from 18 to people in their 40s and chairman Lance Bromley said 250 people would be travelling to watch them play at the final.
“It’s the biggest moment in the club’s history and we wouldn’t be able to do it without the sponsors and volunteers who helps us week in, week out,” he said.
“It’s the pinnacle. Anyone stepping out at Lords is the equivalent of a footballer stepping out at Wembley.”
