A father and son duo who have lined up for a Cumbrian cricket club’s first XI for close to two decades are hoping they can see out the side’s quest to return to Lord’s.

The shared experiences of one family at Cleator CC has been named by the headline sponsors of the Voneus Village Cup as a reason why it wanted to throw its weight behind the UK’s largest grassroots cricketing competition.

Cleator CC’s Ian and Darren Clark are still battling in this year's competition and are seeking to return to Lord’s for the title fixture after having previously enjoyed success in the 2013 final.

Ian, 61, put in a man-of-the-match performance at the time with a vital 37, while Darren nabbed the first wicket of the day, with Cleator securing the trophy with a slender one wicket win.

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Ian, who has been representing Cleator in the Voneus Village Cup since 1977, said: "That day at Lord’s was one of those days you never forget for as long as you live and being able to share that with my son was extra special."

Darren is one of three Clark sons who have lined up alongside Ian at Cleator, and while brothers Jordan and Graham now play professionally at Surrey and Durham respectively, Darren has shared the field with his dad in the first XI for the last 19 years after making his debut as a 15-year-old.

Now 34, Darren said: "He was my coach from an early age and he’s been alongside me every step of the way while I’ve been playing, and what made that victory in 2013 so special was being able to share those moments with him.

"It was particularly rewarding helping him achieve one of his long-standing wishes in playing at Lord’s and celebrating the team’s win in the long room with him after the game is a memory which cannot be beaten."

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Nine years after their success at the home of cricket, the club are again on the march towards Lord’s, progressing to the national draw with its next match against West & South Yorkshire regional champions Ackworth CC, with the fixture due to take place on Father’s Day itself.