Sion Mills Cricket Club Secures Ownership of Historic Ground After 162 Years

Sion Mills Cricket Club has secured ownership of The Holm Field after 162 years, aided by the Kathleen Graham Trust founded by EuroMillions winners Frances and Patrick Connolly.

Historic Ownership Secured for Sion Mills Cricket Club

Sion Mills Cricket Club has ended a 162-year wait to officially own the ground on which it has played since its inception. The club, founded in 1864 by local mill owners, has played at The Holm Field, a site notable for Ireland's famous victory over the West Indies in 1969.

Earlier this week, the County Tyrone club finalized the purchase of the ground with financial assistance from the Kathleen Graham Trust, a charitable foundation established by EuroMillions winners Frances and Patrick Connolly.

Simon Galloway, the club secretary, described the occasion as a "huge day, a momentous day for the cricket club."

A cricketer, in a blue uniform, holds two trophies, one in each arm. A medal is around his neck and he is smiling. — Image caption, Simon says owning the ground secures the club's future

Challenges Overcome to Secure Ownership

Galloway explained that the club had been pursuing ownership of the ground for several years but encountered various legal complexities, including checks and searches. He noted that there were multiple occasions when the club believed they were close to finalizing the deal but faced setbacks.

"We thought we were close to getting things over the line,"

he told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show. Ultimately, the club was able to sign the agreement and officially announce the purchase after 162 years.

Historical Significance of the Club and Ground

Sion Mills Cricket Club is the oldest and most successful cricket club in Northern Ireland's northwest region. Founded under the patronage of the Herdman family, local mill owners, the club has won the North West Senior League 28 times and the Senior Cup 29 times.

The Holm Field is internationally recognized as the venue where the Irish national team bowled out the West Indies for 25 runs in July 1969, an event that remains a significant moment in cricket history.

A screenshot from a video of a 1969 BBC film of Ireland playing against west Indies in cricket in which a number of people stand around an old style cricket scoreboard. The image is black and white — Image caption, Ireland stunned the West Indies at Sion Mills, County Tyrone, in July 1969

Herdman's Mill and Its Community Impact

The Herdman family established Herdman's Mill in 1835, which at its peak employed over 1,000 people in the village of Sion Mills, County Tyrone. Alongside the mill, the family developed a model village, a school, and sporting facilities, including the cricket ground.

The mill ceased linen spinning operations in 2004, and the owning company entered receivership in 2011.

the exterior of Herdman's mill, a industrial looking mid 18th century building, now no longer in use. A huge chimney stack is seen to the left of a factory type building — Image caption, Herdman's Mill in Sion Mills once employed more than 1,000 people in the County Tyrone village

A green grassed grass cricket field stretches towards an old industrial building with a high chimney stack. The sky is blue. A number of trees are on either side of the building. — Image caption, The ground was an integral part of mill life

Club's Adaptation and Future Prospects

Following the mill's closure, the cricket club experienced more challenging times and had to adapt to become self-sufficient. However, not owning the ground previously limited the club's ability to apply for grants that could enhance facilities and youth development programs.

"We're hoping now that this is obviously going to open those pathways,"

Galloway said, adding that the ownership would help secure the club's future for potentially another 162 years.

Support from the Kathleen Graham Trust

The Kathleen Graham Trust, founded by Frances and Patrick Connolly following their EuroMillions win of £115 million in 2019, provided the financial support necessary for the ground purchase. Frances Connolly has family ties to the area and had previously assisted the club during a crisis.

In 2019, an arson attack threatened the club's survival, but with the help of Frances Connolly, the club was able to recover. The recent grant from the foundation, established in memory of Frances' mother, was instrumental in securing the ground.

"We could not have done anything without the Kathleen Graham Trust and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to them for that,"

Galloway emphasized.

The Connollys, originally from Moira, County Down, and now residing in England, have donated more than half of their lottery winnings through charitable foundations.

A woman pops open a bottle of champagne as she stands on stpes alongside a mn holding an oversized cheque. He is wearing a blue shirt and jacket. She is wearing a long black coat and green dress. They have won the lottery. — Image caption, The club received financial support from the Kathleen Graham Trust, a charitable foundation set up by EuroMillions winners Frances and Patrick Connolly

Local Sports Community Benefits

The cricket club is not the only beneficiary of the Connollys' philanthropy. Sion Swifts Football Club, neighbors to the cricket club, also finalized the purchase of their home ground, The Brae, with support from the Kathleen Graham Trust.

Kevin Boyle, chairman of Sion Swifts FC, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition and the ambitious plans for the facility, including new pitches, floodlights, and a clubhouse.