About Us
Seaham Harbour Cricket Club played its first competitive match in 1902 after joining the 19-club Durham County Senior League.
But that meant travelling to the likes of Consett and West Stanley. It wasn’t easy at the turn of the 20th century. In 1903, Seaham Harbour, along with Sunderland, Philadelphia, Durham, Hendon, North Durham, Burnmoor, South Shields, Whitburn, Eppleton and Wearmouth set up the Durham Senior League (Eastern Division).
“The Harbour” remained in the Durham Senior Cricket League for 107 years.
Success came in 1946 and 1953, when the first 11 won the League. There were other highlights too such as the overseas professionals to play for the team, none more formidable than George Nathaniel Francis in 1929 and Dickie Fuller in the early 1950s.
Both represented their beloved West Indies at Test Match level.
SHCC told us: “The Cricket Club has continued to receive support from the Londonderry family. In 2009 the Cricket Club was relegated to the Coast League, where it remained for three years before joining the North East Premier League Division 2. Unfortunately, in April, 2018 the Cricket Club ran into difficulties in what was its 150th year.”
SHCC told us how difficulties arose earlier this year when the club found itself “struggling to field three senior teams”. Closure was considered but this was “greeted by surprise and shock”.
A crowd of 4,000 fans watched a benefit match for Dickie Fuller.
Soon after, a new team of directors and a new committee was established to re-establish the cricket club and drive it forward. Unfortunately, in the interim period, the club was unable to retain its under-15 and under-18 teams, with senior players also lost to other local clubs.
“Undeterred, and also driven by the club’s substantial history, community support and local businesses the new committee was able to save its under-9s, under-11s and under-13s, together with its All Stars Cricket programme, plus two senior teams.”
The club joined the Durham Cricket League, its first 11 also joined the Profound Durham Senior Cricket League Trophy, and messages of support flooded in.
Modern training facilities with the new club in the background
The backing of businesses, plus the hard work and dedication of the club’s new committee and its members, ensured that Seaham Harbour Cricket Club could celebrate its 150th anniversary in style. It did that last week when more than 250 guests turned up.
“The event speaks volumes about the resolve and determination of the current committee and members, plus the excellent external support which has been received by the club too,” said Neville.
Fast Forward to 2022 and the Club now is moving towards its target of regaining Premier League status. The Club now has 5 senior teams with the first 11 playing in Division 1 of the Durham and North East Cricket League and has over 120 juniors playing in 11 boys and girls junior teams.
And so the future, it seems, is in good hands at ‘The Harbour’.