Springvale Cricket Club planning a 2021 homecoming

The Bilston club had their Millfields Road base bought by the Co-Op two seasons ago, forcing them to play their fixtures at Elford, near Lichfield.

In February, they agreed a deal with South Staffs County League rivals Penn to play at their Mount Road ground this summer.

With cricket now being cleared to resume following the coronavirus pandemic, Springvale will taste some action at Penn this season and vice-chairman John Priest says they now have their sights set on April next year for a return to Bilston.

“We have an agreement with Penn for this summer while we sort out the pavilion at our ground,” he said. “Due to coronavirus and issues with funding the build with Co-op backfired this summer, but it should now be done by next summer. Our aim is to get back at our ground by April next year.”

When they do return, the club will be met by a brand new two-lane net facility after they received a £15,000 grant from environmental body Ibstock Enovert Trust – funded through the Landfill Communities Fund and Sport England.

Chairman Antony Potts added: “This project will provide a real boost to the people of Bilston and provide us with a fantastic facility to facilitate our youth cricket system.

“It’s fantastic that Ibestock Enovert has awarded us a grant towards this important project and we’re really looking forward to our netting facility taking shape over the next 12 months.”

The club’s aim is to attract more youngsters in the area to the sport with the new facilities on offer.

“The trustees of Ibstock Enovert were pleased to support this project, as they view good quality sporting facilities to be central to the health and wellbeing of the community,” added Angela Haymonds, trust secretary of Ibstock Enovert Trust.

“We hope that the new nets will be a real boost to Springvale Cricket Club, bringing on the next generation of cricketers and honing the skills of those that have been playing the game for longer.”