Girl, 9, alerts cricket club to fire as volunteers condemn vandalism spree

A nine-year-old girl alerted cricket club volunteers to a fire on the edge of the ground - leading to a match having to be halted in the latest in a string of attacks.

Children and spectators were moved away from the scene at Stockport Cricket Club, which borders Cale Green Park in Greater Manchester.

No-one was injured in the 18 July fire and the match resumed about 45 minutes later, the club said - but club officials said it was the latest in a series of fires, trespassing and vandalism.

Greater Manchester Police said it had looked into several reports connected to the club while Stockport Council said it was working with the club and other groups to keep the area safe.

Bar manager and licensee Rebecca Evans said her nine-year-old daughter, who plays junior cricket, ran inside to alert her while she was serving customers.

"I went out and it was just a fire," she said.

"I started walking towards it while I was phoning 999 and it was just getting bigger and bigger."

Evans said play was halted and children were moved to the clubhouse terrace while people waited for firefighters to arrive.

Photos taken afterwards show burned ground and vegetation, along with a blackened brick wall with a hole in it.

Evans said her daughter had been "a bit scared".

She said the boundary wall backed on to an open area concealed by bushes in Cale Green Park, where people could gather without being easily seen.

The club's incident log over the past several years records fires, trespassing, damaged benches and walls, racist graffiti and a tent fire in the park on 22 March.

GMP said it had identified six reports connected with the club between April 2025 and January 2026.

They included reports involving fires, fireworks, damage to the clubhouse and threats to staff.

The force said neighbourhood officers would engage with the club.

Club treasurer Herman Schurink said more serious problems involving vandalism, damage and fires had developed since about 2022.

He estimated that materials used to rebuild part of a wall previously cost between £600 and £700.

Volunteers supplied the labour, which he believed might otherwise have cost thousands of pounds.

Schurink estimated that anti-climb grease applied to the wall cost the club between £400 and £500 a year.

"We've got to sell 1,000 pints of beer to make that money back," he said.

He said the club wanted a more secure fence along the boundary alongside further action to tackle anti-social behaviour in the park.

Separately, Schurink said bar takings had declined over the longer term, leaving the club increasingly reliant on events and volunteers.

Stockport County Council said an officer had visited the site and it would always take reports of fires, vandalism and anti-social behaviour seriously.

Councillor Dan Oliver, its cabinet member for communities, said: "Stockport Cricket Club is an important part of the local community and we're committed to working positively with the club and other partners to help keep the area safe and enjoyable for everyone who uses it."

The council said it had not previously received reports of fires or anti-social behaviour in the park.

It met club representatives on 30 July but has not yet responded to a BBC request for details of what was discussed or agreed.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has also been approached for comment.

Schurink said the club was "keeping our heads above water" and staff hoped it would would remain open for another 200 years.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.