A father and son from Cleator are hoping they can help take their cricket team all the way to Lord’s.
Ian and Darren Clark were in the side which made it to the prestigious ground in 2013 for the final of the Village Cup.
Ian, 61, put in a man-of-the-match performance at the time with a vital 37, while Darren nabbed the first wicket of the day, with Cleator securing the trophy with a slender one wicket win.
Ian, who has been representing Cleator in the Voneus Village Cup since 1977, said: “That day at Lord’s was one of those days you never forget for as long as you live and being able to share that with my son was extra special.
“Taking to the field where players like Sir Ian Botham had played on in years gone by was incredible, but what made it was seeing players I had coached and seen develop as cricketers over the years make the difference for the side.”
Darren’s brothers Jordan and Graham have also lined up with their dad at Cleator and while they now play professionally at Surrey and Durham respectively, Darren has shared the field with his dad in the first XI for the last 19 years after making his debut as a 15-year-old.
Darren, 34, said: ”He was my coach from an early age and he’s been alongside me every step of the way while I’ve been playing, and what made that victory in 2013 so special was being able to share those moments with him.
“It was particularly rewarding helping him achieve one of his long-standing wishes in playing at Lord’s and celebrating the team’s win in the long room with him after the game is a memory which cannot be beaten.
“I remember after the semi-final in 2013 where I was at the crease when we hit the winning runs, I went straight to my dad afterwards and said, ‘that was all for you’ and being able to play alongside him and enjoy those successes is something I will always cherish.
Nine years after their success, the club are again on the march towards Lord’s, progressing to the national draw with its next match against West and South Yorkshire regional champions Ackworth CC, with the fixture due to take place on Father’s Day.
Ian added: “It is encouraging seeing the community rally around the side as we head into the national draw as that is also what makes it special for a lot of us in the side when we take to the field.
“Whenever one of the sporting clubs in the village has a big game, it becomes the talk of the village and we all band together to support each other and get the side over the line, and that support will be crucial as we look to go all the way this year.”
