THE staggering amount of supporters following Old Hill Cricket Club this season continues to astound everyone involved with the Birmingham League side.

Last week the Haden Hill-based side took a coachload of supporters to the game against Barnards Green in Malvern, while others made their own way by car.

They made similar arrangements for the recent away trip to Oswestry.

Homes crowds this season have regularly ranged between 400 to 500 supporters, crowds that some first-class cricket clubs would give their right arm for.

Chairman Bob Jones admitted to being amazed by the size of support the club has received.

He said: “The support has been absolutely fantastic.

"We are without doubt the best supported side in the Birmingham League.

“We have a growing hardcore of supporters who want to attend every game.

“As a result, we’ve started laying on coaches to away games and have no problem in filling them.

“Every club we visit tell us we’re a one-off! It just doesn’t happen at this level of cricket and they’ve never seen anything like it.

“I know the players feel very honoured to play in front of such support."

“Our ground is shaped like a bit of an amphi-theatre and a large amount of supporters mass themselves on the bank.

The supporters like to engage in some banter with the opposition, most of which I’d like to think is good natured. But it’s all part of the experience when visiting Old Hill, because there’s nothing else like it!

The Haden Hill club hope to increase their ranks of supporters still further by staging a fun day next Saturday, August 29 when they take on Wellington.

Events on offer include a bake-off, where supporters are encouraged to enter cakes, pies or cookies they’ve baked themselves.

The items will be judged at 2pm and then sold off with proceeds going towards the club’s fundraising efforts.