Historic Bournville Cricket Club folds after 142 years as 'battle finally lost'

A historic cricket club in Birmingham has announced it will be folding 142 years after it was founded. Bournville Cricket Club said the battle had "finally been lost" after it struggled to attract new members.

The club, founded in 1882, plays in the shadow of Cadbury's landmark Bournville factory and had a number of adult and junior teams in its heyday. In 2005, more than 100 juniors would turn up on a Saturday morning ready and eager to be coached.

But, in 2024, the club only had one adult team still regularly playing. Club manager Feraz Mustafa said the team's facilities had "not kept up with other local clubs".

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He said there was "no future without significant investment". In a statement, Mr Mustafa wrote: "It is with great regret that I announce the folding of Bournville Cricket Club.

"The last ten years have seen the club struggle to attract members and the battle has finally been lost. In 2005 the club had six adult teams and junior teams at all age groups - with over 100 local juniors being at Saturday morning coaching - but now only has one adult team.

"The reasons are plenty but, in short, the facilities have not kept up with other local clubs and there is no future without significant investment. I personally started here as a 16-year-old in 1992 and it has given me years of friendship and joy.

"I hope that Mondelez, Bournville Village Trust with help from others can bring something back in the future."