HISTORY
Vale
Cricket Club (VCC) was formed from the North Middlesex Jewish Youth Club based
at Wembley Synagogue, and played its first match on 23rd May 1956, under the
youth club name. When the youth club was disbanded in 1960 the cricket section
was offered the cricket equipment for a nominal sum and VCC came into being,
the name being chosen from Vale Farm where the home fixtures were played.
The
club continued to grow and in 1973 it had grown to such an extent that a 2nd
team was formed.
The
club continued to flourish and grew to be recognised as the UK’s leading Jewish
Cricket club, winning the national “Stuart Neils Cup” on 8 occasions, the
national indoor competition on 14 occasions, as well as other midweek and
Sunday competitions. Sadly, with the reduction in Jewish cricket clubs none of
these competitions now take place.
Since
its inception, VCC had been looking for a ground which could be its permanent
home, having played at a variety of grounds including the Barclays Ground in
Ealing and the prestigious Walker Ground in Southgate. Finally in 2004, this
became a reality when it joined forces with London Maccabi Lions and became
London Maccabi Vale CC, playing all our home matches at Rowley Lane Sports
Ground, which is a large multi-purpose Sports Centre, catering for Football,
Tennis, Bowls, Netball and of course cricket. Unfortunately the cricket square became unfit for purpose at the end of the 2019 season and the club has since arranged to play senior cricket once again at the Walker Ground . Colts matches are played at the Old Camdenians ground in Mill Hill.
The club now runs 3 senior and 3 junior teams, with 2 senior teams competing in the Chess Valley League and all 3 junior teams playing in the Middlesex Junior Association Leagues. With the support of senior players and enthusiastic parents the club has nearly 100 members.
No
history of the club would be complete without mentioning several people. Firstly
Cyril Hooker, founder member and Life President, without him, the club would
not be in existence today. Cyril passed away in 2019 to be succeeded as President by Terry Hyman, until then a Vice-President. Terry received a Lifetime Achiever award from Middlesex CCC in 2019. Vice-Presidents, Martin Brand, Michael Okin, Roy Solomons, Jonathan Lederman, Brian Sylvester and Anthony Wise have all contributed hugely over a long period of time. Our current chairman is Alex Haffner, who has been instrumental in agreeing significant sponsorship from the London Maccabi Brady Recreational Trust. Lastly, but by no means least, the late Jack
Reuben, co-founder of the club, who sadly and tragically died in 2007.