The Cricketer is delighted to unveil Theakston as the official beer of the National Village Cup for the next two years. They join headline sponsor Voneus Broadband and official crisp sponsor Pipers in supporting this grassroots knockout competition.
Founded in 1827, T&R Theakston Ltd is an independent, family brewing company located in the Yorkshire Dales market town of Masham, North Yorkshire. The company is controlled and run by direct family descendants of the founder Robert Theakston.
Robert’s great-great grandson Simon Theakston, Theakston’s joint managing director said: “Theakston has been involved with local cricket for many years and this partnership enables us extend that support to the most passionate and engaged of grassroots audiences across the country. We are delighted to be involved in the competition’s 50th year and look forward to meeting the clubs involved.”
This season is the 50th edition of this summer-long knockout tournament, which has been run by The Cricketer since its inception, with Colwall CC from Herefordshire looking to defend their crown after a last-gasp victory over Hertfordshire’s Redbourn CC in September last year.
The Cricketer magazine editor Simon Hughes said: “This really is brilliant news for all involved in this grassroots competition. Enjoying cricket with a beer in hand has stood the test of time and we look very much forward to working with Simon and his team.”
The competition starts in April 2021 with 347 village cricket clubs from England, Scotland and Wales competing in 32 regional groups, the highest number of entries for more than a decade. The group winners enter a national draw that culminates in a final at the Home of Cricket in September.