COALIES FIRE AGAIN

In September 2023, Hull Ionians Coal Exporters, as they were then known, approached the North Cave Playing Fields Association Trust to enquire about the vacant ground that used to be the home of North Cave Cricket Club. At that time it had not been used for five years. 

🔹Following positive discussions with the Trustees, several of them former North Cave cricketers, and a ground inspection by the Yorkshire Premier League North, in November 2023 a ‘low loader’ and several additional vehicles spent an atrocious morning weather-wise, transporting dismantled sight-screens, covers, gazebos and a range of cricket equipment from their ground of 25 years at Hull Ionians, to Church Street, North Cave. 

🔹Five groups from within the club, (administration, finance, playing/coaching, communications and grounds maintenance), worked tirelessly throughout the winter and 2024 spring to bring the ‘new’ ground back into existence, not least the outfield and square, and fit for 1st Division cricket and a promotion earned by our 1st XI at the end of the previous season. The outcomes of the YPLN ground inspection were a much welcomed endorsement of these efforts. 

🔹In March 2024, the new cricket arena was officially opened by former England wicket keeper, Jack Russell, and a painting, commissioned from Jack, of the first game to be played at Church Street featuring the newly renamed North Cave Coal Exporters and its players players now graces the North Cave club house. 

🔹Andy Swallow is the club Chairman and explains that, ‘’since that time, things have gone from strength to strength. Our relationship with the North Cave Trust is very positive, and our presence throughout the village and local community has been very well received. We have developed close links with the primary school and North Cave sports club, and our cricket membership has almost reached the half-century. The patio in front of the sports club/bar is filled by locals and cricket enthusiasts every Saturday’’. 

🔹Andy adds that. ‘’Last summer we took advantage of our links with Dominic Rhodes and Rob Johnson to host what we thought at the time was a well attended ‘All Stars’ and ‘Dynamos’ programme. Over the winter 2024 we expanded our senior winter nets sessions to build on our 2023 efforts, and were inundated with junior cricketers aged 9-13 and their parents. This summer our Friday evenings Junior practices have been a great success, and our ‘All Stars’ programme has been over-subscribed. Our very active communications team has done a great job in promoting these events, and the weekly barbecues and sports bar facilities have helped too !! 

🔹The club now operates a 1st XI side in Division 1 Holderness and a 2nd XI in Division 3 Holderness, a mid-week team and from no juniors in 2023, Under 13 and Under 11 teams. Two weeks ago they hosted an Under 15 cup final at the ground and next month they will host an Under 9 festival. 

‘’Without our five groups of volunteers all this would not have happened, and we really are grateful to everyone who has helped’’, adds Andy 

🔹The 2025 August edition of the national magazine, The Cricketer just out on sale, captures all of the above on p 82, in the magazine’s monthly CLUB SCENE article. A full page account, with the picture of Jack Russell’s painting under the heading, « Russell helps ‘Coalies’ fire again. » 

Andy concludes by saying, ‘’In our 116 years history, our cricket club has probably never been as vibrant and well organised. We have a number of girls in our Under 11 team, and have already discussed the possibilities of bringing together a ladies’ team next year with Dominic Rhodes and Rob Johnson from the Yorkshire Cricket Board''.