150 Years of Cliftonville Cricket
Cliftonville Academy Cricket Club celebrated “150 Years of Cliftonville Cricket” on Saturday 2nd October in the Penthouse Suite of the Europa Hotel, Belfast. The event coincided with the Club’s 1st X1 winning the Robinson Services League 1 title and the team will compete in the Premier League in 2022.
After a ‘Welcoming Drinks Reception’ a 3 Course Meal followed by tea and coffee was enjoyed by all. A ‘Commemorative Brochure’ celebrating cricket in the North Belfast and Newtownabbey areas, through the histories of the Cliftonville and Academy Cricket Clubs (formerly BRA (FP)) was given to all those attending. Memorabilia of both clubs was on display.
A theme of the evening was the recognition of club individuals who devote much of their time to helping with the running of cricket. Gift awards were presented to the club’s Hon. Secretary, Jack Quinn, who has served on NCU Committees for 25 years and to former club players Mark Hawthorne and Alan Neill who between them have officiated in over 350 International umpiring appointments.
The evening closed with an entertaining speech from Guest Speaker Geoff Miller, OBE, the former Derbyshire, Essex and England cricketer who played in 34 Tests and 25 One Day Internationals.
The Club wishes to thank ‘The SHS Group’ for its generous sponsorship of the event.
