They have played in front of the royalty and the political establishment.

But now Crathie Cricket Club is desperate for new members as it struggles to field a team.

When it was formed 76 years ago it boasted a complete line-up of Balmoral staff.

Today there is only one estate worker – club captain Lyndain O’Brien.

The team plays in North East Scotland Cricket’s Grade Three, with their own pitch west of the castle.

Mr O’Brien said: ‘The castle road is part of the boundary so when the Royals drive we pause play.

‘They have also come and watched a few overs.

‘The late Duke of Edinburgh was our patron and with his passing we have put the feelers out for a new Royal patron. I think they are keen to keep up that connection too.’

Crathie Cricket Club play at their ground on the Balmoral Estate

The Aberdeenshire club’s location on the royal residence has meant a trip to face Crathie Cricket Club can be an interesting occasion for opposition teams – especially as they never know who could be watching.

Prince Philip, who was made patron of the club in 1952, once caused a game to be temporarily paused when he landed on the pitch in a helicopter.

Several Prime Ministers have stopped to watch Crathie games during their visits to Balmoral, including Sir John Major, an enthusiastic cricket fan.

The club also boasts what is believed to be the only heather-thatched pavilion in the United Kingdom.

The King waves when he drives past while Prince Andrew stopped to watch a game previously.

Mr O’Brien, 32, added: ‘There have been prime ministers watching games over the years.

‘With where the pitch is located, it is just the type of thing that can happen.

‘We are also famous for our teas – especially our pies. But it can be a struggle to field a team these days, sometimes we have to borrow players, including from the opposition.

The Duke of Edinburgh bowling at the nets during cricket practice at the Petty Officer’s Training Centre at Corsham, Wiltshire, where he was a lecturer in 1947

‘About half the team come from around the area. I’m the only working member from the estate. Cricket is not everybody’s cup of tea. It is hard in such a countryside location as this to get the players.

‘We could do with another five players, preferably all-rounders, and we would welcome women. We play against women in the league. We have managed to get a full team out for our fixtures this season but it is getting a struggle. We need more players.’

At a match a couple of seasons ago, they fielded a team with an average age of 63.

With an ageing profile and despite attracting people from across Aberdeenshire, the club is desperate for fresh talent.

Mr O’Brien, a maintenance worker at the estate, said: ‘We are struggling for players – and if we don’t get enough we may not be able to fulfil all our fixtures.

‘The team is quite old – two of the players are in their 70s and several are in their 60s. The King would certainly fit the age profile, if he fancied a game.

‘But the age of the team and injuries means it is hard to get a side up most weeks.

‘We are the only cricket club – other than Windsor – that can boast such a Royal castle backdrop. We played a team of Afghan refugees last year and they were gobsmacked by the setting and then the King driving past and waving.

‘Prince Andrew often walks by with his dogs and watches a few overs when he’s up and last year he was with the Duchess of York. We see all the family, but usually they are driving past giving us a wave.

‘We need new blood that’s for sure to keep going. We won’t close but we are struggling to find enough players with the age profile of the team.’

In September 2005, the club hit the headlines after it was discovered the wicket was the wrong length – by some distance.

Following a mix-up, the club played the majority of the season with the wicket measured at 22 metres rather than 22 yards before the mistake was discovered during a home match against Methlick.

News of the wicket at the Royal Estate being more than six feet too long was even mentioned by Terry Wogan on his radio show and by Peter Alliss’ during the BBC’s golf coverage.