Haughton Cricket Club have come a long way since 1996 when they had just one side and were being plagued by vandalism and thefts, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

Far from being discouraged, however, members rallied round the Darlington and District League club and today Haughton look forward with enthusiasm to the new season.

"Six years ago we were struggling to survive with just one side and things were made a lot worse when the was targeted by vandals and grass cutters and the tractor used for cutting the outfield were stolen," said spokesman Steve Gill.

A fund-raising campaign was launched involving the local community and in 1997 a Second XI was formed which included several local youngsters. The club also began a link with Haughton community school which continues to flourish.

In 1999, the benefits of the school link began to show with numerous youngsters joining the club to play at under-13 and under-15 levels and a year later two sides were entered into the Darlington and Dales Junior League.

A sponsorship deal was struck up with S G Petch (Darlington) and continues into the new season which begins on April 27.

The club also gained an Awards For All Lottery grant to help develop junior cricket and in the short time since the junior sides were established, some of the youngsters are starting to be considered for promotion into the senior teams.

Last year, most of the Under-15 team also played for Haughton school in The Northern Echo trophy, defeating Carmel School and Barnard Castle School to reach the quarter finals of the competition before losing out to Easingwold.

"The club is now rebuilt but we continue to build for the future at all levels. It is a great strength in the community but we could not have achieved what we have in less than six years but for the support of the people and the many firms and organisations who have helped us along the way," added Gill.

The club extends thanks to S G Petch, Jackson Sweeting, the Head of PE at Haughton community school, Durham's Cricket Development Officer Nick Brown and his colleague John Windows as well as Janet Cooper, who is Darlington Sports Development Officer.