The Theakston Nidderdale League welcomes Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club for the 2017 season beginning on 22 April next year.
Following a difficult couple of years where the club has struggled to field two teams there was no choice but to resign from the Airedale and Wharfedale League.
The club needed to look for a new home where it could initially field one team but begin an exciting period of rebuilding.
Jon Slater, Chairman of Upper Wharfedale CC said:
The Nidderdale League have been brilliant in offering this opportunity with a genuine feeling of enthusiasm and desire to keep cricket going across the area.
League Secretary, Graham Hyde said:
We are very excited to welcome Upper Wharfedale, a club that will enhance our reputation for providing competitive cricket at fabulous grounds along with complimentary hospitality.
Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club are keen to maintain cricket for all ages in the community and despite recent difficulties feel that they have the right people in the right places. This as a new beginning and will facilitate a steady rise back in terms of playing standards to where the club was only a few years ago. This will also give opportunity for players in its junior teams (under 9, 11, 13 and 15) to have a pathway to senior cricket and ensure cricket continues to be played in Upper Wharfedale.
Officials and players at Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the Nidderdale League compared with other options.
Jon Slater said:
We are delighted that the league has seen fit to accept us as members without the need for an AGM, a real sign that the welcome is genuine and that we have a part to play in it’s future.
The players in particular are looking forward to meeting new people, visiting new grounds and see this as a great new challenge.
These are challenging times for grassroots cricket and to be approached by a club of Upper Wharfedale’s standing to join our League is a huge boost of confidence for what we are doing in Yorkshire.
Upper Wharfedale Cricket Club will begin its Nidderdale League career in Division Eight playing fixtures across North Yorkshire.
The Nidderdale League was formed in 1894 and is sponsored by local, family brewers, Theakston, providing recreational cricket in eight divisions for over 50 clubs and nearly 90 teams.
The winners of the 2016 Championship was Ouseburn who will be presented with their trophy at the very popular annual Dinner which takes places on Friday 18 November 2016 at The Pavillions, Harrogate. Guest speaker is Sky Sports pundit and former Kent cricketer, David Fulton with comedy provided by Gary Marshall.
For more details about this cricket league follow them on facebook, twitter or visit their web site www.nidderdaleleague.co.uk
