Memories of Haughton

Horace Marshall - Club President
Died January 2001 Aged 97
1903 to 2001
He Will Always Be Remembered By All Club Members and Friends.
Haughton Memories
by Horace Marshall
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When I was born in 1903, my Father John William Marshall was the Secretary of Haughton Cricket Club and had been for several years.
The cricket fixtures were friendlies against mainly local teams because the means of transport was very limited.
When I was eight years of age I vaguely remember being taken to Cliffe and Kirk Levington Hall near Crathorne to watch the team play the game, the journey’s being made by horse drawn brake.
The team even though a village side functioned in this period like county cricket being a gentlemen and players affair.

Gentlemen as follows:
Arthur Feetham Team Captain, Darlington Solicitor and Son of Club President Sir John Feetham of Whinfield Hall.
John Banks Vice Captain, Director of Darlington Forge.
Rev. R.G.Barnett Curate of Haughton Church, a sparkling batsman and useful bowler.
Major R J Blewitt Retired from the army and married into the Summerson family.
Thomas Caton Village School Master.
A.J.Purcell of Little Burdon, an associate of Sir Cecil Rhodes of Rhodesian fame.
Two Brothers whose names escape me, were Solicitors.

Players as follows:
Albert Watson A Century making batsman .
Jack and Bill Winn both bowlers.
The family of Jack Winn mainly Roland and Noel were to play a big part in the future of Haughton C.C.
Herbert Buckton who became a pro in League Football.
Jack Goodyear a bowler but not a village resident.
Charlie Foster wicketkeeper.
Both Jack and Charlie later went to play for sides in the N.Y./S.D. league.

Coming now to the venue of the club, Great Burdon.
The field and adjoining farmstead was owned by the Dean & Chapter, Durham City.
The ground was obtained free of charge by the efforts of Arthur Feetham,(for many years this was the case but now, the year 2000 this season a fee has been raised to £500 to have a livestock free field).
Like most local cricket grounds of the period only the actual square was cut, the remainder of the field being pasture grass.
The wicket although well rolled was a wicket which favoured the bowler. This was particularly true of the Haughton wicket, whichever team batted first faced a barrage of lifting balls.
The longer grass in the outfield resulted in few boundaries from ground strokes, giving hitters the advantage by the aerial route.
The pattern described above prevailed up to cessation of play because of the First World War.

In 1919 after world war one, largely due to the efforts of my Father, his Brother Arthur and ex army captain Roland Winn activities were resumed. A large number of teenagers became club members, which resulted in the formation of a second XI and juniors playing mid week games.
The first XI with remnants of pre-war players did not have a happy time and as a result in the 1920 season a clean sweep was made. With Roland Winn as Captain a host of teenagers became candidates for first XI places.


With no less than 5 players from Great Burdon being available.
Lenny Blair whose farm adjoined the ground.
Jack Bartlett who stepped over the broken brick wall as play was ready to commence.
George Brown a some what lazy but stylish bat who lived opposite the green.
Ted and Raymond Jones from Burdon Mill.
Haughton Villagers included.
Noel Winn one of the fastest bowlers around.
W Robinson useful batsman and good fielder.
Tommy Sanders could hit a bit and a very safe pair of hands in the outfield.
Lenny Alsopp a batsman who’s offside strokes were the envy of his team mates.
I got in as makeshift wicketkeeper and barn door batsman who started in the tail and somehow got to open the innings.

The advent of motor transport made the scope of fixtures much wider and teams like Barnard Castle, Evenwood and Winterton Mental Hospital came onto our list.
An early season game at Barnard Castle.C.C. On arrival at the ground my Father(Umpire) was greeted by Barney Captain(the Headmaster of the famous public school) who was taken aback as he was not expecting a team of boys to turn up to play.
We were well beaten by 10 wickets, the Barney Captain apologised for handing out the thrashing but congratulated the Haughton Boys, for sticking to the task.
Space does not allow me to deal with the period when I was honoured to be Captain.

The Club has reached a similar situation to that of the 1920’s viz. An ageing first team.

After the Second World War, the game was restored at Great Burdon , again a mixture of pre-war and promising newcomers including a lad of potential Gilbert Bage.
The pre-war pavilion was used and friendly cricket again played.
The outfield was still rough and the wicket fiery. I was elected captain.

Ted Hall our opening bowler was famous throughout the Darlington area for his quick lifting deliveries.
Arthur Raine was a very good batsman, his season average of 14 was very high in those days.

1961 Saw the formation of the Darlington & District League. Due to Haughton’s wicket they were not invited to join as a founder members.
1962 The club was invited to join the “B” Division.
We finished as Runners – Up and were promoted to play in the “A” Division in 1963.

I have been associated with Haughton Cricket Club for most of the twentieth century, and have enjoyed every minute of it.
The club has set out very ambitious plans to secure the future of the club into the twenty first century with financial sponsorship and the recruitment of players from a very early age.
Finally one comes back to Norman, a true cricketer of ability backed up with a sense of purpose beyond the normal, as was ‘Big’ John Marshall(Mr Haughton) through the late fifties and early sixties.
I close wishing the club and members similar enjoyment for the years to come.

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Hon Life Vice President - Mr Gilbert Bage
Haughton Memories by Gilbert Bage
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Late 1940’s – Early 1950’s
The Burdon Ground typical of a village cricket club, usual pavilion small with two doors that lifted up and partitioned home and away. Only change room for the teams.
Later on we purchased two railway guard vans these were sited either side of the pavilion, these were used as the dressing rooms. Following on a implement shed was built with bricks and a tin roof, and also laid down was a concrete practice wicket.
Travel to away games had to be done by public transport the bus and this was a cumbersome job with the club cricket bag having to be carted around. The bag although not the size of today’s bag was an awkward thing for getting on the bus.
The bag consisted in them days of, maybe 3 bats(County Bats), 3 or 4 balls (10/=(50p) / Pakistani hard as hell), about 3 pairs of gloves, 1 pair a wrap round pair,which covered the fingers but not the palmsof the hands.Those days nobody had their own bat.
The buses we used were the “United” or the Triumph(Based at Stanley Robinsons Saleroom). There was only one car driver in those days, Mr Gilbert Bage so you kept in with him if you wanted a lift. The Secretary these days had to make the fixtures with the other teams, as there were no league fixtures in those days.
The Secretary had a lot of work to do in those days(and the secretary’s job today is still demanding).
Haughton owed a lot to Frank Hardy who did this work for many a year.
The local derby in those times was against Sadberge on Bank Holidays, rivalry being very intense, and our other serious match was against Middleton St George who used to play down the Middleton One Row road, before they moved to their present location. During this period Haughton, had a second team and was captained in turn by Frank Hardy and Big John Marshall.

Arthur Feetham, who was our President and also President of the Darlington Rugby Club, in his will leaving Haughton CC £25 and leaving the Rugby club 20 acres of land for their playing pitches, which was later sold for £3 million.
Arthur Feetham, a solicitor lived at gatehouse, which faced up Stockton Road, it is now a nursing home. Arthur was Captain of Haughton before the war, and after the war he and his wife used to come down to the ground in his open top car, a rather large one, parked just by the entrance and enjoyed watching the game.
A few photographs in the clubhouse were taken in front of Arthur’s house, with the ever faithful Horace Marshall on one or two of them.
During the late 50’s the club lost a few players, and so could not turn out the reserve side, but carried on with one team. At this time the man who did the most for the club and kept it going was, “Big John Marshall” who worked hard and kept everyone happy.

By 1962 the club acquired a very large shed, which was put onto railway sleepers thus raising it off the ground and enabling a veranda to be erected.
At this time Sadberge.C.C. had packed in, and they offered us their pavilion if we carted it away, so one night Herbie Innes, Mick Scott and Gilbert Bage borrowed a tractor went to Sadberge dismantled and brought all the wood and bits and pieces to Burdon, where it was used to make a kitchen and a score box, and when finished the pavilion was opened by Mrs Olive Dent.
Unfortunately this pavilion was burnt down in 1978. During this time the team was playing in the Darlington & District League. Having joined the ‘B’ Division of the league and finishing second in our first season. Having then been promoted to the ‘A’ Division the club more than held their own.
After the war 1945/46/47 the captains were Horace Marshall – Noel Winn and Arthur Raine. Arthur being a classic bat, and the fast bowler was Ted Hall who was well known as ‘Ginger’ he also had (veracious veins) and when these got hit while he was batting, all hell was let loose.
During this period the membership fee was 10/=(50p), and we were helped by our patrons, who’s names were printed on the fixture card.
The club also used to run a whist drive and dance in the village hall, which was very successful “No Television those days” so it was a struggle with finance, but we always scraped through.

One of the hardest games to play those days was against Winterton Hospital. Who were a very good side, many the times when they had scored a lot of runs then come off for tea as with the Rolling Mills tea was taken at 5.00pm. Then they would carry on batting giving you a formidable total to go for. Their tea’s consisted of nothing but half sliced sandwiches with various meats in then they were scrumptious.

The Families most associated with the club were, The Marshall’s, The Winn’s and
The Jone’s.
Arthur Marshall being too rotund to play the game looked after the running of the club, and his two son’s Sandy and John being players.
Unfortunately Sandy died early on, and we lost a very good bowler but “Big John” got the Subsequent title “Mr Haughton”, and deservedly so.
The Winn’s consisted of Roland and Noel, and Noel’s son Michael. Noel returning to the club after a spell with Darlington.
The Jone’s Family, came from “Mill Bats” the cornmill behind the ground, they were Raymond and Ted. With Ted being a medium pace bowler who did a lot with the ball.
Easily everybody those days being from or near the village of Haughton, so it was a close knit club. When the village was enlarged with the new estates, we anticipated new members would come to strengthen our numbers, but we did not get one so in those days we struggled to turn out a good team.
Haughton has a lot of people to be thankful for:
Tommy Souter, who’s son plays for the club now, Tommy supplying the 3 ply timber which made the ceiling in the new pavilion, and also for making the number plates for the scoreboard.
John Wilson, a farmer from Barmpton Village who supplied the fowl for the raffles at the whist drive and dance, these things don’t seem a lot in this present day and age, but in those far off days they were clubhouse gifts.
Tom Evers, from Barmpton Lane who’s job it was to collect the subscriptions from the patron’s.
Ken Hill, for the use of his tractor.
Lenny Blair, for his lawnmower when the club’s mower was out of action, all of these people who helped the club when it was needed a grateful thanks.

One Sunday morning in 1966, going to Birtley golf club to have a look at their gangmowers. Gilbert Bage, Herbie Innis and the driver “Winston Spencer Blythe” how about that for a “Moniker”. Going in Winston’s new car, on the A1(M) at about 80 m.p.h. overtaking on the hills, tyres screeching, never again but we got the mowers. We hired a wagon from Jackson’s Transport, who had a garage on Haughton road, to go and pick them up for us.

Remembering the generosity of Ken Tate, who when he heard of the loss of the pavilion and all our gear in a fire at the ground in July 1978.
Came down and gave all his gear to the club, and also to Evenwood C.C. who sent us £50, £25 as a gift the other to be repaid as soon as possible. Also thanks to Norman Sturman who’s prompt action of arranging the purchase of a cabin for use as a temporary pavilion, so enabling us to continue and complete the season. there was also help from a lot of other various people and clubs far to numerous to list.
Haughton From 1996 to 2002
1996 saw Haughton CC with one traditional village cricket team, which was struggling to survive. September saw the club targeted by thieves on numerous occasions causing damage to the pavilion and the theft of equipment including grass cutters and the tractor used for cutting the outfield.
This, though, did not discourage members, and with the help of the local community the club set up a fundraising campaign to get the club back up and running. The club received support and donations from county and local cricket clubs, as well as local businesses and the local community.
Our club were grateful to all those who helped us in our hour of need.

1997, saw Haughton start paying back the community by starting a second team the mainstay of which were local youngsters.
1997, also saw the beginning of the club / school link with Haughton Community school, which has continued to strive forward to this day.
The benefits of the club / school link began to show in 1999, with numerous Under 15’s and Under 13’s coming to the club nets at the school. The decision was then made to enter two teams into the Darlington & Dales Junior League for the 2000 season.
1999 also saw the club with a new club sponsor, S G Petch (Darlington).
S G Petch are part of a growing club not only do they sponsor the club, but they also use the ground for groundhires with numerous employees enjoying playing cricket. Although they are classed as sponsors, we prefer to use the words Friends of Haughton Cricket Club.
1999 also seen Haughton CC, Gain their first Awards for All Lottery Grant, To Develop Junior Cricket and help set up our junior teams with equipment.
The 2000 junior league season was `in our mind` a successful one, with the Under 15’s losing the league knockout cup final by 1 run to Rockcliffe Park, and finishing mid table in the league. The Under 13’s although only winning 1 or 2 games showed a lot of promise for the future, with most of the team only being 10 or 11 years old.
The 2000 season also saw some of the original juniors from 1997 being regular 2nd team players, starting to improve and pushing for their places in the 1st team.
2001 season, although affected by the ‘Foot & Mouth Crisis’, didn’t stop Haughton continuing to show positive signs of improvements, with the senior teams beginning to get stronger and the threat of good young players snapping at their heels for places.
The under 13’s, in 2001, began to win more games and reached the final of their league knockout cup, being narrowly beaten by Richmondshire.
The Under 15’s were certainly, the Haughton Team of the Year, being unbeaten all season winning all league games played, winning the league 6 a side competition beating Rockcliffe Park and playing a tie with Richmondshire in the league knockout cup final, which was the fairest result with both teams playing great cricket and in the spirit of the game.
Most of the under 15 team also played for the Haughton School team in the Northern Echo Trophy, which they beat Carmel School and Barnard Castle School to reach the quarter finals of the competition one match away from playing at the Riverside County Ground. In the quarterfinal they faced an away game against Easingwold near York, after a good game from Easingwold were the narrow winners over Haughton who were not disgraced in their defeat.
The Under 17`s, league season probably suffered the most, in the 2002 season with the Foot & Mouth Crisis, with only the two cup competitions being played. Haughton though showed how much they had improved by winning both Cup Competitions beating Lands U17`s in the league knockout cup final & Rockcliffe Park U17`s in the Charles King cup final.
Haughton Cricket Club is now rebuilt, but still continue to build for the future at all levels of cricket.
Thanks to everyone who helped the club survive in its hour of need.
Haughton is now a great strength in the Community and shall remain strength for the community to be proud of.
One of Haughton’s main aims for 2002 is to help raise funds for assisting with buying new cricket nets for the school (Cost of Which, £12,500), to enable more youngsters to get coaching.
Success has shown already in 2002, with the club receiving funding from the Awards for All National Lottery Grants.
The Grant will go a long way in the promoting and more extensive coaching of youngsters at Haughton Community School, and the Haughton Community as a whole.
Special thanks though must go to Jackson Sweeting (Head of P.E.) at Haughton Community School, without his help and support we may not have come as far as we have in such a short time.
Thanks also must go to,
Nick Brown (Durham C.C.C. Cricket Development Officer) & John Windows.
Thanks also to Janet Cooper
(Darlington Sports Development Officer.)
For all the help she has provided in our climb to success.
Finally Haughton Cricket Club would like to thank all the local community who have helped the club continue to strengthen especially over the last six years.
Haughton Cricket Club is a sports club that is working in the community, for a better community.

"B" Division Cup Final
at Darlington R.A.CC
Wednesday 4th July 2001
Haughton v Ingleton
Haughton Comprehensively
Beat Ingleton By 8 Wickets

Haughton Under 15's
Won their first Cup on
Sunday July 8th 2001
The Hazel Burn 6 a Side Cup
Beating Barton,
Middleton St George & Rockcliffe Park
They Followed that by tying with Richmond in the League Knockout Cup Final
on Thursday 19th July 2001 at Barton
Richmond 90 for 8
Haughton 90 for 6
They also won the League being unbeaten all season.
The Under 17's Won both the League Knockout Cup and the Charles King Cup in 2001
The Under 13's, Reached the Final of their League Knockout Cup only to be narrowly beaten by Richmond in a good game.
Under 13 Captain Mark Dobinson
was the only player in the Darlington area
selected to play for Durham County Under 13's.

Haughton Cricket Club - 2002
Awarded £4006
From Awards for All National Lottery Grants
This Will Further Develop Cricket
In The Haughton Community
Haughton Cricket Club
A Strength In The Community

Charity Race Night
Held At The Highland Laddie, Haughton Village
On Friday 5th April
Raised The Club £400

S G Petch(Darlington)
Have Pledged Their Continued Support To
Haughton Cricket Club
For The Next 2 Years