MEB, founder members of the Shropshire Cricket League, have resigned after more than half a century – forced to quit just a fortnight into the new season owing to a lack of players.
The Shrewsbury club, formed in the 1950s, took the tough decision to fold after last weekend’s division five home defeat against Welshpool II at Frankwell. They had been forced to concede their opening day match at Tibberton II seven days earlier as they were unable to raise a side.
“We were only able to field nine players last week and the prospects of having people available in the near future were slim,” said MEB captain Dan Tudor. “It was a hard decision to make, but there seemed little alternative.”
Stalwart Dave Adams, who first played for the club in 1956 at the age of 16, and had played every season since, took a wicket in the very last game.
MEB were founder members of the Shropshire League in 1970, finishing runners-up in division two in the first season, a feat they emulated twice in the early 1980s. They played at Sundorne Castle until it was sold in 1997 to become Shrewsbury Town’s training ground. With no home, they were in danger of folding then but they battled on, playing the majority of their games away, with a few “home” games taking place at Church Stretton.
MEB moved to Frankwell a year later and, after winning division five unbeaten in 2003, the last few years had been a real struggle with a growing difficulty to attract new players.
Skipper Tudor said he was greatly saddened by MEB reaching the end of an era given his own close family ties with the club.
His grandfather Reg first started playing for MEB in 1964 while his uncle Kevin and dad Martin were regulars from the late 1960s.
Tudor, captain since 2007, made his MEB debut in 1998 and his brother Matt also played, hitting the club’s highest individual score of 201 not out against Newport III three years ago. Their mum Elaine and their nan had been doing the club teas for a number of years.
“There have been some great days and it was a very tough decision for all of us to make to call it a day after nearly 60 years of the club,” said Tudor.
“But ultimately it was the only sensible option to take. Saturdays throughout the summer certainly won’t be the same without MEB.”
By Stuart Dunn
