Stayley's day of destiny awaits

Stayley Cricket Club are preparing for the biggest match in the club’s history. 

This Sunday, they travel to the Home of Cricket, Lord’s, for the final of the Voneus Village Cup. 

Standing in their way of victory are last year’s champions Foxton Granta.

Stayley will be looking to cap off a superb week for the club, after securing promotion to the GMCL Championship last weekend. 

Their route to the final has been far from easy, with the side from Millbrook seeing off 2022 champions Dumbleton in the semi-final, after a dramatic last-ball victory over Cleator in the last 16, and club captain Nick Woodhead believes the squad are more than ready for the challenge: 

“We’ve got to treat it as just another game,” Woodhead told the Reporter. 

“As much as there’s a lot of buzz, you’ve got to stay focussed, and we’ll definitely be ready. 

“Foxton are a good side, you don’t expect to have an easy game in a final, but if we turn up and do our job, hopefully we can walk away with the cup. 

“The occasion is huge, to play at Lord’s initially is a dream come true, but to go and lift the trophy is the next step. 

“I can’t imagine what that would feel like, but hopefully we can get the job done.” 

Stayley chairman, Lance Bromley, says the achievement of reaching the final is now finally beginning to sink in, following the conclusion of the league season: 

“It’s become a reality now,” Bromley told the Reporter. 

“Now we’ve got the last league game out of the way, the focus is now purely on the cup. 

“The lads have still got a job to do, they’re up against the defending champions, but with the squad we’ve got, I think we’re more than capable. 

“I’ve got the easy job of just sitting down and enjoying the day.” 

No one will be prouder to watch the team walk out at Lord’s this weekend than club legend Billy Bird, who has been involved at Stayley for over 60 years. 

Tameside Reporter Sports Editor Lewis COnnell chats with club legend, Billy Bird.

Billy initially joined the club as a player, first featuring for the under 16’s side, before taking up a number of roles such as first team player, president and most notably, chairman.  

The now 73-year-old has devoted his life to the club, so much so that the Stayley pavilion is named in his honour. 

Billy is one of four generations to have links with the club, with son Stephen having served as club president, and grandson Fraser having featured for the juniors. 

Billy’s late mother Ivy was also involved with the club for a number of years, having served behind the bar. 

With the biggest day in the club’s history fast approaching, Billy knows better than anyone that the current highs would not have been possible without the historic lows. 

Had it not been for him and other club officials securing a crucial 25-year lease, the club may well have ceased to exist. 

“I spent 34 years trying to get that lease,” the 73-year-old told the Reporter. 

“We eventually got it, and it’s been so important because otherwise, they’d have just built on here. 

“I think they were hoping we would fold to be honest, but we’re still here.” 

Securing the lease is not the only struggle the club have faced over the years either, having been victim of an arson attack in 2005, which left them without changing rooms for a number of years. 

But Billy hopes the fairytale of Lord’s will make all the hard times worthwhile. 

“I still can’t believe we’ve got there to be honest, but I’m looking forward to it. 

“We’re hoping to win, but it’s whoever turns up on the day, you never know. 

“Whatever happens, we’ll have a good weekend, and win or lose, we’ll be having a drink!”