Scottish cricket club threatened by closure

Dwindling numbers could threaten the existence of a historic village cricket club which became the most famous in Scotland after a David and Goliath victory against England's best at Lord's.

Freuchie Cricket Club in Cupar, Fife, faces closure unless they can attract more players. Picture: Contributed

Freuchie Cricket Club earned its place in sporting folklore in 1985, when it became the first-ever Scottish team to win the National Village Championship against a Surrey XI at the home of cricket.

But more than three decades on, villagers believe there is now a real danger that the little club which celebrated its centenary eight years ago could fold.

Freuchie currently fields a first XI and a second XI, but a lack of available players has sometimes seen the club struggle to put out its second team and has left some fearing the beginning of the end for the evocative sound of leather on willow echoing on a summer’s day round the village near Falkirk, in Fife.

Current club captain Jock Wallace said today: “That’s our biggest fear - that the club shuts.

“We’re one of the most famous clubs around and if it had to close it would leave a massive empty void in the community.

“Sadly we’ve lost quite a few players over the winter -- most of the players went to play more locally [to their homes] and that’s fair enough, but we’re now at the stage where we’re looking at possibly having to go down to one team unless we can get more guys in.

“That would be a big hit especially for a club of our size.

“I think we’ve got around 14 to 15 players so we’ve got enough for a team, but around 25-26 would be a good number as that would give you guys floating for every eventuality.

“We’ve got youngsters coming through and the oldest guy we’ve got playing is in his 60s but he can’t commit to it as much as he’d like.

“It’s a shame because it’s a great club -- the clubhouse is fantastic, it’s easily accessible, there’s free parking, a licensed bar.

“It’s got great facilities and we’re a welcoming bunch of guys.”

Fellow player Alan Wallace, who has been involved with the club for more than 20 years, said the current situation was not a “disaster”, but warned the club would certainly struggle if it could not attract some new blood soon.

He added: “It’s been a very successful club over the years and it’s fair to say we’ve been punching above our weight.

“It’s a really famous club and that’s the legacy -- the people involved have made it what it is today and it’s one of the best in Scotland.

“Everybody has worked so hard to get it to where it is, and we all just want to see that continue.”

Back in 1985, there was a mass exodus from Freuchie when the local cricket club travelled down to Lord’s to take on Rowledge from Surrey, in 1985, and few gave them a chance of claiming the National Village Cup -- but that’s exactly what they did. The triumph over their English opponents -- making them the first Scottish club to win the trophy -- hit the national headlines.

The Surrey side had been all out for 134, and Freuchie started their reply nervously.

With 15 overs of the match remaining and six wickets down, the Scots looked in trouble. But a remarkable rally saw Freuchie eventually emerge victorious, with the win sealed by a partnership of Freuchie’s Brian Christie and George Crichton, sparking exuberant celebrations.

Cricketers wanting to bolster Freuchie’s numbers can email secretary@freuchie cricketclub.com.

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