YAARS History

Hello, Salam, Sarsrical, Namasthay, Olah, Bonjour..!!!

THE EARLY DAYS: The Embryonic Stages.
Birth of the Young Asian Association (YAA)
In the ‘back streets’ of some of the most affluent parts of the East End (where Ronny and Reggie usto apply their trade) there was some serious business taking place in Heaton and Jesmond, the Ahmed's were playing cricket.
A round steel bin would act as the stumps, a ‘captains special’ bat and a few tennis balls and it was game on….One Day Kricket at its finest…..Playing in ‘avenues and terraces’ the back street honed the skills and techniques of many up and coming cricketer. Big Beefy unfortunately slipped through the net….
Most of the lads had attended Heaton School (now known as HEaton Manor Academy) during the 1980’s with sports teachers (Big Baz and co) taking a keen interest in developing the young talents of the Ahmed Clan, Ali, Rolly, Billy, Gaz Hick, Coxy, young Buzz and the legendary Kaleem Jawaid 'Toombs'… the adopted brother Big Beefy Vedhara also came along for the ride. Gentleman Argy Syed also attended Heaton School during the early 1980's.

Growth....and development....
In 1986, the Tyneside Evening Cricket League (TECL) was established by John Dawson, some ofthe lads got together and decided they wished to join the cricket league….without any equipment and a ground this could be difficult. Advise was sought from Newcastle City Council, Leisure Services known as the Cooncil!!!!….a meeting was held with Council Officers, Ronny Gill (I think) who offered the lads a grant based on encouraging the young ethnic minorities to partake in sports. A TEAM was established under the name “YOUNG ASIAN ASSOCIATION” (YAA)…a small grant of £300 helped finance the purchase of equipment, bats, balls and pads. The YAA hired a ground from Northumbria University and in the early days played at Coach Lane…..with the line up consisting of family and friends; Ali, Rolly, Billy, Coxy, Buzz, Toombs, Bav, Arif, Mo, Beefy, Naz Aslam, Sajjad Ahmed, Mohammed Sajeel and an up and coming youth development programme with Walled, Omar Ahmed, Omar Jabar, Immy Shah, Zammy Ahmed and Usman Iqbal….The lads enjoyed their first taste of competitive league cricket and were runners up in the TECL league to a strong Park House outfit and piped Coquet to a runners up spot…..John Dawson (Park House)and Jim Mclleland (Coquet) were experience guys and had been involved in cricket for a long time – they were always there to help the YAA along, passing on their knowledge and experience, to help establish the YAA. A big thanks to these guys (who still play/administer their respective teams).

In 1987, there was an Asian cricket competition organised by Wasim Bhatti, four teams were invited to take part Newcastle City, United Community Association (UCA), the Young Asians YAA and Heaton Mosque….. Newcastle City had a formidable outfit with some established cricketers. Ghuffar Ahmed captained UCA another established team which had been involved in league cricket for some time. Ali Ahmed skipped the YAA and Wasim Bhatti led the Heaton Mosque team.
Before the tournament began, Newcastle City and UCA merged teams and decide to play a select X1 combined…typical of such tournaments no rules. This was the Young Asians first experience of competitive cricket in the real sense. Young Asians comfortably beat a strong Newcastle City / UCA X1 outfit, the opening bowling pair of Ali Ahmed and Coxy Ahmed destroyed the top order and NC/UCA were reduced to a mere 110 in 30 overs…special mention to Bav for some impeccable glove work behind the stumps…..Billy Ahmed opened with Rolly, Billy taking the charge to the opposition in belligerent form Billy scoring heavily in a knock of 78no. He was ably assisted by Rolly Ahmed who contribute a stylish 28no….a heavy painful 10wkt defeat for the select X1. Heaton Mosque ended up winning the tournament against all odds, as a guy who had turned up to watch decided to play for the Mosque, he turned out to be the South Shields professional, Mohammed Riaz….a stylish left hander and a good runner.
Young Asians suffered a further blow as they finished as runners up in the TECL to Park House, but drowned their sorrows by winning their first major honours, the Surt League Cup beating a strong Coquet side in the final.

Billy, Ali Rolly and Coxy joined Newcastle City to experience Saturday League Cricket in the Three Counties Northumberland League…..this helped to enhance their midweek cricket skills. In 1988 Young Asians won the TECL; 1989 TECL winners & Surt Cup Winners; 1990 TECL Runners Up and Surt Cup Winners.

YAA continued their hold on the TECL 1990 and 1991 TECL Runners up and League Cup Winners. 1992, saw some additions to the squad with new signings Ali had been tracking the up and coming talented youngster Peter Lidher, Surj and Amor Singh were late transfer deal and a surprise saw the arrival of Hamad Hussain and Reehan Saeed, former players from MCCC who also joined the YAA.

Maturity.....
The Young Asians decided to join Newcastle City on block in 1992 and applied to join the North East Midweek Cricket League NEMCL in 1993 (after taking advise from Jim Mclleland). In 1993 under the banner “Young Asians” the lads won NEMCL Division 5, TECL League winners and League Cup winners.

In 1994 under the banner of “Newcastle City Young Asians, the Championship was won in NEML Division 4, ERS Cup was won, and the NEML Midweek Cup after a very competitive semi final v Newcastle Premier.

Decline....
1995 – the Young Asians disbanded and no longer existed due to Saturday cricket commitments and a more strenuous work load in midweek cricket.

TAKE A BREAK: YAA to YAARS???
We're BACK!!!!

After a 11 year sabbatical, in 2006, Bobby 'Beefy' Vedhara and Surjit Singh decided to re-establish YAA but, under a new banner of the YAARS (punjabi/english = FRIENDS)…..we were no longer Young and “Friends” seemed more appropriate in context.

Beefy Vedhara took over the reins from Captain Burt aka Commader…..and led the team to the NEMCL Championship D4, picking up the ERS Cup, the YAARS managed to reach the quarter final of the cup, narrowly beaten by Beamish & East Stanley.
Beefy worked hard in securing a major sponsorship deal -Thanks to sponsor:”Lynn Dodds Property and Financial Services” – the YAARS looked a professional outfit, with tracksuits, shirts and caps.

In 2007 the YAARS went on to win promotion from D3 to D2 adding the Don Catley Cup to the trophey cabinet and the were cup finalists narrowly beaten by Kirkwood.

Due to work commitment Beefy stepped down, in Kevin Keegan fashion claiming he had taken the YAARS as far as he could.....an emotional Beefy took off the Kaptains armband. The "Two Ronnies", Ali Ahmed and Zak Alvi returned to take over the batton in 2007. They managed to secure promotion from D2 to D1, winning the George Hall Cup and make it the final of the NEML Cup for the second year running – If Beefy doesnt stand on the ball this year the lads may go one better and win the cup as they did in 1994......"I'd just love it if we beat them" (quote Beefy, 2007 cup final)....

CUP FINAL 2008:
YAARS v Matfen (Sunday 7th September 2008) at Swalwell CC 1:00pm start 30 @ 8 ball overs.

"And They All Lived Happily Ever After"....thats all folks, Don't have nightmares....but, the YAARS are back...Asta la vista baby!!!