Greatest Moment

Winning the Central League 'Double' in 1990, 1997 and 1999.

Local Hero

Adrian Whittaker - skipper in the successful early 1990s.

Bizarre Fact

In 2001 Clayton West were the only Huddersfield League club to be affected seriously by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Batters and 'Local Rules'

Traditionally, batters at Back Lane have had to take account of 'local rules', which used to state that a ball hitting the boundary fence on the full was a four rather than a six. (For the umpire to signal six, the ball had to clear the fence). This was local custom up until the 2002 season, when Clayton West eventually fell into line with league rules regarding boundary hits.

Today, the cricket club sub-lets the field from a local farmer, and it is very proud of what it offers. 'A warm welcome awaits all First and Second Elevens, and their supporters, visiting Back Lane,' says the club's publicity in the League handbook. And it goes on: 'Excellent teas provided.'

Square-Shaped Venue

Back Lane is a compact and very square-shaped cricketing venue. It is located to the north of the village, not too far away from Park Mill, the River Dearne, the local school and the old colliery. Within walking distance are Emley's ground at Upper Lane and Nortonthorpe's, in Scissett, just down the main road.

The immediate surrounds are interesting: a field of horses (of different colours), a couple of new housing estates, a caravan, a bit of light industry, a crane, an ad hoc building site, lots of bushes, and a farm. In the far distance you can see Emley Mast; in the near distance a neat white fence marks off the perimeter of the ground.

You can enter the ground in a variety of ways. The pavilion (no spikes!) is tucked away in the corner: it's a white one-storey building, with the letters 'CWCC' protruding in one of the windows.

Adverts and Tall Hedges

A notice says that junior cricketers must wear protective helmets at all times; another that the exercising of dogs is forbidden; and a third declares that all cars are parked at the 'owners' risk'. There are benches, bins and a BBQ facility on the side of the ground linking the pavilion and the scorebox.

In fact, this side of the ground boasts a fine line of tall hedges - with adverts pinned to the netting in front of them. There's excellent publicity for Nuswift, ABM, Timber Specialists, Solarshade Ltd., Fawcett Electrical Ltd., Ernest Bedford & Co., Braithwaite Excavation, Mills, Kemp & Brown Solicitors, Close Consumer Finance Ltd., Victoria Kitchen Company, CMAS, N.G. Wright & Son Ltd., and Dolce Vita Restaurant.

In front of the hedging and the ads are several benches with poignant inscriptions:

Gibby's Seat - Peter Gibson - Former Player and Supporter 1932-1995.

Harry Whittaker - Chairman, Clayton West Cricket Club 1957-1970.

Greta Whittaker - Supporter of Clayton West Cricket Club for many years.