Seaton Carew Cricket Club

After more than five decades of dedication to his local club, 60-year-old Paul Frankland shows no signs of slowing down.

Paul was crowned the Unsung Hero at the Durham Cricket Foundation Awards Ceremony this month. He has pledged to continue his vital volunteer work at Hornby Park for years to come.

He balances his part-time work as a business consultant with a staggering 30-plus hours a week volunteering at Hornby Park. The ground is just a short walk from where he has lived for more than 30 years.

Paul Frankland at the Riverside with his award.

Five Decades of Dedication

Paul’s association with Seaton Carew Cricket Club began when he was just eight years old under the mentorship of Tom Foster. He rose through the ranks, eventually captaining the first team.

He continued to play through the Covid-19 pandemic. He finally retired three years ago after a few seasons with the second team.

Today, having previously served as secretary and treasurer, he now focuses his efforts on securing sponsorships, managing facilities and acting as a trustee of the Seaton Carew Community and Sports Club.

“In short, I am one of Hornby Park’s general dogsbodies along with Kenny Braham and Billy Lithgo,” joked Paul.

The Award

His commitment to the club was officially recognised at Durham’s Riverside stadium during the Durham versus Middlesex match.

Nominated by a member of the Seaton Carew cricket committee, Paul was presented with the Unsung Hero Award during a special dinner halfway through the game. It was a well-deserved honour celebrated by everyone at Hornby Park – home to the village’s cricket, football and rugby clubs.

Paul said: “I suppose this is recognition for what we do as volunteers to keep the club going, not just the running of it but the groundwork.

“I spend around 30 hours a week volunteering, carrying our grounds maintenance and generally looking after the cricket square, and I am proud to say it’s top of the division for pitch marks this season.”

The Work Behind the Scenes

Working closely to support expert groundsman Shane McGarry, the team’s hard work has drawn praise from visiting clubs this season. Among those was Norton’s Keith Symington, who won the Durham Cricket Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award.

Paul Frankland in action during a recent dads versus lads game at Hornby Park. Picture: Mally Foster.

Paul said: “We do it because we enjoy it. It has been a fantastic summer, it’s been like being on holiday at times. We have had a severe drought, and there will be other clubs who don’t have the volunteers or Shane and Scott Stewart around to have had the impact we have.

“It was amazing in our last midweek game when the sun was shining and the patio was packed to watch the cricket in an evening semi-final game we won.”

A Club on the Rise

Seaton Carew Cricket Club is enjoying something of a renaissance as it competes in NYSD Division Two.

For the first time in five years, the club boasts three senior teams alongside an ever-expanding junior section. This means a challenge of preparing more pitches for more games.

The every day work on the cricket square will finish on September 14, when the site is prepared for the end of the season, we just rip it up and start again.

After that, Paul and the team will shift focus to watching Seaton Carew FC and Seaton Carew RUFC over the winter months. They will also work on the fantastic ground improvements right across the establishment.

Paul Frankland bowling during a recent dads versus lads game at Hornby Park. Picture: Mally Foster.

Still Going Strong

He said: “I will do this for as long as I can. I have a very understanding wife, Karen, who doesn’t mind me out of the house – or wants me out of the house!

“What’s better if you have the time than doing something like this? I don’t want it to be a job, I do it because I love it, and it has been rewarding to see things look so good and the fantastic feedback from visitors and officials.”