A Tyne Valley cricket club has successfully raised thousands of pounds to purchase a new state-of-the-art scoreboard.

Players and supporters of Riding Mill Cricket Club have managed to raise £5,235.84, which will be used to pay for a Durant Cricket electronic scoreboard.

The wireless device connects to the internet and can post live scores and stats to the Play Cricket website as games are ongoing.

It comes after the club raised £2,000 earlier this year to pay for a new training strip – meaning players, members, friends and families have raised more than £7,000 in just nine months.

The scoreboard is the latest in a series of plans to improve the club and allow it to compete with the giants of the Tyne Valley cricket scene, such as neighbouring Corbridge and Stocksfield.

Treasurer Steve Kent was delighted with the news.

He said: “It’s terrific. We’ve had various discussions over the last year about what to get, but with the money we raised we thought we want this posh one!

“We’ve managed to pull it off with various fundraising events. The players have put their hands in their pockets but we’re beginning to get a following on social media and a few more people are chipping in.”

This season, despite the campaign facing significant disruption due to the coronavirus crisis, Riding Mill managed to finish second in their Saturday league.

Their fundraising has been equally impressive – more than £4,000 was raised via a JustGiving page, while £800 came from the club, more than £300 from a charity walk, and £180 from a sweepstake on the Masters golf tournament.

The current board at Riding Mill has big ambitions, with hopes that more improvements can be carried out in the future with the aim of setting up a youth team.

They’ve been supported by some high-profile names, including former England star Mark Butcher – who even uttered the phrase “up the Mill!” for the club’s YouTube channel – and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Steve continued: “We can get the scoreboard delivered whenever we want, it’s all paid for.

“We’ve pulled it off really well and a lot quicker than I thought. It’s the most expensive bit of kit at the club."