'This is something the club will be eternally grateful for' - Wolverhampton cricket club pays tribute to owners after considerable act of generosity
A thriving amateur cricket club have unveiled a special tribute after being handed a huge boost by their owners.
Wightwick & Finchfield Cricket Club, Castlecroft Road, Wolverhampton, have revealed a plaque to show their appreciation to the four men 20 years on from the construction of the £250,000 clubhouse.
Former members Keith Bradshaw, Alan Russell, Brian Tranter and Don Clark bought the club in 2003 for £5,000 each to raise funds for the build, ensuring that the land was privately owned in order to receive the grants they needed.
The clubhouse was finished in 2005, and 20 years later the club has over 180 members, over 30 volunteers and 15 teams playing league matches across a variety of age groups at its home on Castlecroft Road.
In March 2025 the four owners made the decision to transfer the land away from their private company and back into the hands of the club for £1 each, something Wightwick & Finchfield Cricket Club chairperson Phil Scorer is extremely grateful for.
"The generosity shown by Keith, Alan, Brian and Don is amazing, and something the club will be eternally grateful for," he said. "Over the least few years Wightwick & Finchfield has gone from strength to strength, fielding five teams every Saturday, our women’s and girls team, women’s softball, a senior Sunday team as well as junior teams at every age group.
"To know that the future of our ground is now secured and in our own hands is an amazing feeling and gives us a fantastic foundation to grow even stronger from. I can’t thank the four guys enough."
Wightwick Cricket Club was formed in 1947, the inspiration of John Hulme who vowed that upon his return from wartime postings he would form his own cricket club.
He shared his vision with four friends, who along with Hulme demonstrated their commitment by contributing £1 each to the formation of Wightwick CC, soon becoming Wightwick & Finchfield CC after merging with Finchfield CC.
Nearly 80 years on from the club forming they now have full ownership of the clubhouse, nearly 200 members, and adult and junior teams competing in local leagues and competitions, fulfilling the wartime dreams of John Hulme in sensational style.
