A CRICKET bat company is marking 10 years in business.
Viking Cricket, based in Silsden and founded by lifelong cricketer Jeff Wilson, has spent the past decade making handmade cricket bats and equipment that are now used worldwide—from grassroots players to professionals.
Mr Wilson said: “We’re incredibly proud to reach 10 years.
“It hasn’t always been easy, especially through Covid and some personal challenges along the way, but the support from the local community and the wider cricket world has been unbelievable.
“We started with a simple idea, to make great bats and look after our customers.
“And that’s still what drives us today.”
The company began in 2016 as the result of a long-held ambition.
Mr Wilson’s childhood love of cricket inspired his idea to launch his own bat brand, which has since grown rapidly across the UK and overseas.
Viking Cricket’s English willow bats, handmade using traditional methods, have built a strong reputation for quality and craftsmanship.
But the journey hasn’t been without challenges.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the business faced disruption in both retail and grassroots sport.
More recently, Mr Wilson was hospitalised with a cancerous tumour, relying on Yorkshire grit, family support and a loyal customer base to keep the business moving forward.
Viking Cricket has also built strong relationships with the local cricket community, including supplying clubs, supporting young players and sponsoring emerging talent.
The firm has launched specialist ranges like the Valkyrie, designed specifically for women and girls to address long-standing gaps in cricket gear.
Its bats have been used by county and international players.
Mr Wilson said: “When we see our bats being used on television in the Big Bash or test cricket, it’s a fantastic feeling.
“We are also an official partner of the PlayStation game Cricket 24 and knowing people could use the same bat they were playing with on a Saturday when they are at home on their console is an amazing feeling.”
A decade on, Viking Cricket remains firmly rooted in Silsden, with Mr Wilson and his family still running the business and providing a hands-on customer experience.
Looking to the future, the company plans to launch Viking Hockey in summer 2026, offering hockey sticks and equipment in addition to the cricket wing of the business.
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Mr Wilson said: “To still be here ten years later means everything.
“We’re excited for what comes next and grateful to everyone who’s been part of the journey so far.”
