About

Forge Valley Cricket Club was founded in 1870. The club is based approximately four miles from the seaside town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in the village of East Ayton. The club currently runs four senior teams in the Scarborough & District cricket leagues. The first, second and third teams play in the Scarborough Beckett League, whilst the  fourth team play in the Scarborough Derwent Valley League.

The club is a major breeding ground for young talent, and the club runs one junior team which plays in the Scarborough Derwent Valley Junior League. The club has over fifty junior members. FVCC also runs two senior teams in the Scarborough & District Evening League.

FVCC's headquarters is at Wilsons Lane, East Ayton. The clubhouse on site, is run by Ayton Sports Association, whilst the field is looked after by East Ayton Playing Fields Association. There are family play areas on site. The second ground, where the thirds and fourths play, is situated at Garth End Road, West Ayton. This site is run by Ayton Sports Association.

The clubs greatest achievement was being crowned National Village Champions in 1986. Captained by Martin Shepherdson, the team produced a string of sensational performances to claim the title at the home of cricket, Lords. There is a special area in the clubhouse, celebrating this triumph. The club has also won the Scarborough Beckett League championship five times (1975, 1979, 1981, 1985 and now 2008).

The last twenty years has seen many ups and downs within the club. The club failed to repeat the 1986 triumph, which led to several players retiring, or moving onto pastures new. After years of steady decline, the club was forced to regroup following relegation from the top flight in 1996 following a twenty-three year stay. 1986 winner Nigel Pettitt took over the captaincy with an intent to restore former glories, and promotion back to the elite was achieved (1998), along with a Hospital Bowl win. This has provided a solid foundation for the club, and several younger players, who have developed through the junior ranks, have been to the forefront of this upturn in fortunes.

1999 saw the club make a fine return to the top flight, with Mick Glew leading the way with 768 runs @ 59.07 to win the league batting award, including a then club record 180 not out.

In 2003, Simon Dobson led the club to fourth position in the Beckett League, along with appearances in the Hospital and Cayley Cup finals, and Steve Robinson captained the seconds to the Derwent Valley League title. The club also went back to running senior four teams due to the demand from members. 2004 and 2005 saw continued improvement, with the firsts finishing in the top 3 both years, and the seconds gaining successive promotions.