The man who lifted others by
TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN PAID TO MIKE HOBAN WHO WAS A BIG PART OF HOUGHTON CRICKET CLUB
A nostalgic tribute has been paid to a former cricket club – and a stalwart who did so much to support it during its best days. As the 2017 local cricket season comes to a close, we take a look at Houghton-le-Spring Cricket Club. Sadly, the club itself no longer exists and a club official told us: “The demise of the club has coincided with the recent sad loss of its former opening batsman, secretary and key administrator – Mike Hoban.” Chris Cordner reports.
A man who lifted others with smiles of happiness. That was Mike Hoban who was a real spur to cricket in Houghton. And we are indebted to both former club officials and Mike’s family for sharing the story of Houghton’s best cricket days, in which he played a large part. As one official put it, Houghton were a team which competed with the best during the early 1990s. He said it was “largely due to the sterling efforts of Mike”. Mike’s son Neil told us: “He was a kind, giving person and he would try and help other people.” Every club has got them, said Neil. And just like others who give their free time so generously, Mike could often be found sorting out the cricket pads, doing some other behind-the-scenes task, or simply doing his utmost to help other people. Yet it was Houghton which played a large part in his life, said one spokesman of the former club. Houghton were initially a ‘Colliery Welfare’ outfit playing in the Mid Durham Senior League before joining the North East Durham League. During the 1970s and 1980s the team had no official base. It relied on “the goodwill of the management committee at Newbottle Workingmens’ Club, a few dedicated cricketers, friends of friends and some footballers, who needed something to do during the close season,” said the official. During this period, Mike performed miracles to ensure the club’s future. “Home matches were played at Harraton, now the home of Premier League outfit Washington and for one season the club played their home fixtures at Seaham Leisure Centre. “During these two decades Houghton were a competitive side, the first XI won the George Coates Trophy in 1974, and won the Henry Bainbridge Cup in 1974, 1978 and 1983.