Cricket at Brading
THE terminal shortage of money, players and volunteers has led to the folding of Brading — with the sad prospect of more cricket clubs on the Isle of Wight likely to follow suit.
Middlemead, Brading's home since 1987, once thrived as players and families devoted their time to the club, which boasted two Saturday teams, one on Sundays and players taking part in midweek touring games.
Money was raised from events and donations to buy the land at Middlemead, on the edge of Brading, and transform a farmer's field into a ground Island cricket could be proud of. The club had a spell playing in the regional divisions of the Hampshire League.
How times have changed.
Club stalwart Ian Hailes, whose family has a long association with Brading and island sport, explained: "Difficulties finding funding, players, paid up members and, crucially, a lack of volunteers, has become a downward trend this past ten years — making this a heavy workload for the remaining few of us who ran the club.
"Income dropped considerably amid the cancellation of two seasons during Covid, with bills paid, wickets needing to be prepared and maintenance of the clubhouse, which made the club financially unsustainable."
But cricket shouldn’t be lost to Brading as the club has gifted Middlemead to the Isle of Wight cricket board "so that matches can be continued and enjoyed there.
Middlemead, Brading's home since 1987, once thrived as players and families devoted their time to the club, which boasted two Saturday teams, one on Sundays and players taking part in midweek touring games.
Money was raised from events and donations to buy the land at Middlemead, on the edge of Brading, and transform a farmer's field into a ground Island cricket could be proud of. The club had a spell playing in the regional divisions of the Hampshire League.
How times have changed.
Club stalwart Ian Hailes, whose family has a long association with Brading and island sport, explained: "Difficulties finding funding, players, paid up members and, crucially, a lack of volunteers, has become a downward trend this past ten years — making this a heavy workload for the remaining few of us who ran the club.
"Income dropped considerably amid the cancellation of two seasons during Covid, with bills paid, wickets needing to be prepared and maintenance of the clubhouse, which made the club financially unsustainable."
But cricket shouldn’t be lost to Brading as the club has gifted Middlemead to the Isle of Wight cricket board "so that matches can be continued and enjoyed there.
Brading pavilion
St Helens, who play in the Island League, are also in deep trouble, with so few players committing to the club.
Charlie Millington, a stalwart at St Helens for 40 years, put out an appeal for players, past and new, to join this coming season — and a stark warning.
"We had to cancel some fixtures last season, mainly through lack of players. It would break my heart if the club had to fold after all the hard work I, and numerous others, have put in — sourcing and building a very nice new pavilion, plus all the hard work done in providing a superb square and a lovely place to come and play village green cricket," said Charlie.
Charlie Millington, a stalwart at St Helens for 40 years, put out an appeal for players, past and new, to join this coming season — and a stark warning.
"We had to cancel some fixtures last season, mainly through lack of players. It would break my heart if the club had to fold after all the hard work I, and numerous others, have put in — sourcing and building a very nice new pavilion, plus all the hard work done in providing a superb square and a lovely place to come and play village green cricket," said Charlie.
