Harry Brook's boyhood club enter fray as Cawston Press Village Cup draw announced

More than 400 teams have discovered their opponents after an influx of new clubs sparked a modern-day entry record

Harry Brook's boyhood club are among 26 first-time entrants to have discovered their opponents in this year's Cawston Press Village Cup.

Burley-in-Wharfedale are among 403 clubs entering this year's tournament, a modern-day record, which comes as soft drinks producer Cawston Press begin their sponsorship of the tournament.

The Airedale & Wharfedale outfit, for whom the England white-ball captain played as a teenager, will make their Village Cup bow in the new Yorkshire (West) group away at Thornton, of the Halifax Cricket League, who were national quarter-finalists last year.

Brook, whose family still play for Burley-in-Wharfedale, is sadly ineligible and would only become available under tournament rules 25 years after he makes his final first-class appearance.

Elsewhere, defending champions Foxton Granta could have something of a grudge match to begin their campaign in the Cambridgeshire & Norfolk group.

Foxton beat Cheshire club Stayley by 145 runs at Lord's to secure their second consecutive National Village Cup title last season and will now fight for an unprecedented third straight triumph.

They will begin with a bye in the first round, but could meet Eaton Socon, who ran them close in their opener last year, in the second.

^{Foxton Granta claimed their second successive title at Lord's in September (Paul Carroll Photography)}

Eaton Socon, who face Barney & Fulmodeston at home in their first match, have an opportunity for revenge if they prevail.

The two teams played out a thriller at the Terry Day Cricket Ground in 2025, which the champions eventually won by just eight runs. 

Stayley have also been handed a bye in the first round of the new South Lancashire & North Cheshire group, before they meet the winner of Edgworth and Tarleton.

The draw, which was conducted by The Cricketer's managing director Jim Hindson, magazine editor Huw Turbervill and representatives of both Cawston Press and the Ruth Strauss Foundation in the Writing Room at Lord's, involved 403 teams across 32 regions.

Along with the 26 first-timers, 41 clubs are returning to Village Cup action after a hiatus from playing in the tournament.

This includes two-time champions Sessay, who have been drawn against Scalby in the Yorkshire (North) group, returning after an 18-year break.

^{Cawston Press are the new headline sponsor of the Village Cup, which has been run by The Cricketer since 1972}

Sessay are now able to enter their first XI after being relegated from the Premier Division of the Yorkshire Premier League North in 2025.

Ben Johnson, interestingly named after a former printworks, have entered Yorkshire (East) for the first time.

The influx of new and returning teams has prompted a restructuring, with some groups being renamed and reorganised.

The aim of the restructure is to reduce travelling times for away clubs in the early rounds,  along with preliminary fixtures not being required in the majority of regions.

The competition will, once again, conclude with the final at Lord's, which will be held this year on Sunday, September 6.

The preliminary rounds of the competition will begin on April 12, with the first round proper later that month on April 27.

More information can be found at nationalvillagecup.com