About Us

Tim Keeley – Master Bat Maker

Tim is our head bat maker and has been crafting cricket bats since 1975—an incredible 50 years of experience. He began his bat-making journey under the guidance of the late John Newbery and has spent nearly five decades producing bats for internationally renowned professionals.

His innovative designs and commitment to looking after some of the world’s best cricketers have perfected his craft, allowing him to create the world-class bats that so many players rely on today.

Over the years, Tim has personally handcrafted over half a million bats, starting as an apprentice at Gray Nicholls at just 16 years old. Despite decades in the industry, his passion remains strong, and he continues to take great pride in making bats for both local players and top-level professionals.

Nick Keeley – Bat Maker & Willow Specialist

Nick, Tim's younger brother, has been an integral part of the bat-making process for over 40 years. His journey began at the family sawmill, where he developed a deep understanding of wood selection and craftsmanship. Learning alongside the late John Newbery, Nick honed his skills in grading and preparing willow, ensuring that only the finest clefts are chosen for production.

Few bat makers in the world have handled as many clefts as Nick. Every Keeley bat begins with his meticulous selection process, where he assesses the performance potential of each piece of wood before it moves through to shaping.

Keira Keeley – Office Manager

Keira is Tim’s daughter and Keeley Cricket’s office manager. She handles customer service, orders, and social media, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. As the first point of contact for customers, she helps with enquiries and general admin to keep the business organised and efficient.

Fred Keeley – Sawmill, Bat Repairs & Sanding

Fred is Tim and Nick’s youngest brother and has been involved in the family business for over 30 years. He primarily runs the Keeley family sawmill, but when needed, he steps in to assist with sanding and polishing bats, ensuring they meet Keeley Cricket’s high standards.

Having trained under the same Gray-Nicholls "boot camp" as Tim and Nick, Fred knows bat-making inside out. His expertise in wood preparation and finishing makes him an invaluable part of the team, helping to maintain the quality and craftsmanship Keeley is known for.

Timmy Bayne – Customer Service & Repairs Specialist

Timmy is our customer service man, having worked and managed many cricket shops in the UK over the last 45 years. Alongside working the shops he has been a highly recommended cricket coach for many years for Sussex, Surrey, Kent and numerous schools. If Timmy can't find your perfect bat, no one can.

Heston Keeley – Apprentice Bat Maker

Heston is Tim’s son and an apprentice bat maker. He assists with buffing, sanding, and preparing clefts, while also learning the art of bat shaping and finishing.

Harvey Smith – Forestry/Cleft Division

Harvey is involved in the early stages of the bat-making process, assisting with splitting, sorting, and preparing clefts before they move on to shaping. His role ensures that the willow is processed correctly, forming the raw materials for Keeley Cricket’s bats.