A SMALL village’s cricket club whose promotion to the Championship has been likened to Leicester City winning the Premier League have been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Green Moor were promoted from Division One into the Championship earlier this month with a game to spare, and the village - whose population is around 200 - have risen above South Yorkshire neighbours Rotherham Town.
They’re also just one division below Barnsley Woolley Miners in the ECB Yorkshire Premier South - and the club’s secretary of 34 years Ann Matthewman believes it’s a ‘magnificent’ achievement.
She told the Chronicle: “I think for the club to win promotion to the Championship is comparable to Leicester City winning the Premier League.
“Our team is mainly made up of players who have come through our juniors or have connections with the club - we don’t have any paid players.
“Our chairman leads the way and is well supported by a hard-working committee and loyal supporters.
“It is a magnificent achievement and all involved feel very proud.”
Green Moor only has a church in its boundaries and Ann feels that makes their achievement even more special.
“We’re just a small village and it’s unbelievable what’s happened - we shouldn’t have been promoted,” she added.
“It got to the end of the season and a few of our players play football for Penistone Church - they decided to stick and play with us to get promoted.
“I’m a bit apprehensive for next year because I’ve got no idea what’s going to happen but my grandson Chris, who’s the captain, told me there’s going to be teams coming down with their big egos.”
Upon hearing of the team’s nomination in the Sporting Achievement category, Anna added: “We all thought that it was great to be nominated.
“It’s nice to be recognised after a tough year.”
