In the summer of 1954 Mr. John Terry who was the Head teacher at Kirby in Cleveland boy’s school and a keen cricketer thought it would be a good idea to re form the Village Cricket Team which had folded in the 1920s. Mrs. Clarke, who owned Oxford House, gave the use of her land rent free. A pitch was cut in the middle of the cow pasture with a push Qualcast mower. The score board was an ash tree in the boundary hedge with nails to hang the metal numbers, which were given by Harry Cook.

In 1962 the Cricket moved to the present location, with the two roomed pavilion which we had to purchase to play in the Langbaurgh League. Two years later the Tennis and Football players amalgamated with the cricketers to form Gt. Broughton & Kirby Sports Club. The Football Team had started in 1947, playing in a field along Ingleby Road, before relocating to Sandersons’ Farm on the Chop Gate road, during which time Brian Clough played for us.

The Tennis Section originally played at the Vicarage in Kirby. The first Court at the current site, grass of course, was in the same place as No.1 Court today. In the 1920s this had been a bowling green. Pine posts and chicken wire provided the fence around the court.

Early in 1970 the Club acquired some timber buildings (thanks to Mr. George Winney), that had been situated on the Quay at Hartlepool. Members had to dismantle, transport and erect them at the Club. This gave the club changing rooms and a tea-room, and the old two-roomed Pavilion became the score-box.

The number one fund raising event, which enables the Club to move forward with improvements, is the annual Carnival always held on August Bank Holiday Monday. The first Carnival was held in the mid-1950s and the prime organisers at this time were Len & Doreen Hall – the success of this event has always relied on the residents of the two villages who have always given generously.

The purchase of the Cricket field was completed in 1984, the present Football field in the early 1990’s, and the land adjacent to the Clubhouse in early 2004.

Two people in particular played a very important part in the continued development of the Club over 40 years, Florrie Flintoft (cricket scorer & club treasurer) and Herbie Johnson who has tended the cricket field way beyond normal care making it one of the best in the area.

Great Broughton & Kirby Sports Club