There were 5,000 (probably many more) people at Bacup Road that Sunday afternoon. I was privileged to be there. Chris Flood, a young spin bowler took 7-40 in 10 overs. One of the greatest days cricket I've ever witnessed. Anybody remember that day?

Yes. I recall it well.
Two points of interest:
1. Chris went on to be a much respected and popular teacher of science at St Ted's and later at The Sixth Form
2. He's Brendan's brother.

Before my time but a link here to some photos from around that time.

https://peterfisher.smugmug.com/History ... -fDVqhjC/A

Back in the day, they used to do collections at Lancashire League matches for any outstanding performance. It was a great tradition. I doubt it still happens. Chris Flood's collection that day was a record amount. Close to £200. The atmosphere was like a football match. A teacher by profession but that day he was a magician.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:01 am

Before my time but a link here to some photos from around that time.

https://peterfisher.smugmug.com/History ... -fDVqhjC/A

Thanks, SHP!
Press cutting of my Great Uncle on there.

kindonesque wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 8:42 am

Back in the day, they used to do collections at Lancashire League matches for any outstanding performance. It was a great tradition. I doubt it still happens. Chris Flood's collection that day was a record amount. Close to £200. The atmosphere was like a football match. A teacher by profession but that day he was a magician.

They still do collections - 50 for a batsman, I think it is 5-40 for a bowler and also for taking five catches.

Thanks Tony. Great to hear that. Not many collections this summer I fear

Hey nil_
Is Chris retired from teaching do you know? He was some cricketer

That was a fantastic days cricket,was there ever a more popular Pro than Abid Ali,great memories from 44 years ago and being 20 years old.

I was there as an 11 year old. Some great times around then, Abid Ali and Allan Border a couple of years later when I think Border got 178? Then there was the innings from George Croisdale. Some great memories.

ralphc wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:18 am

I was there as an 11 year old. Some great times around then, Abid Ali and Allan Border a couple of years later when I think Border got 178? Then there was the innings from George Croisdale. Some great memories.

Was you there for the apperance of Viv Richards? I went that day expecting Ilex mill to be peppered with sixes,cant remember how many he got but i think i went away dissapointed.

Yes saw Viv a couple of times in the league, some great professions at that time but for Rawtenstall big Franklyn Stephenson was the main man!

I saw Viv Richards play for Rishton against Burnley at Rishton (the game at Burnley was washed out). Burnley batted first and were bowled out for 72 and Richards came into bat when Rishton's first wicket fell with the score at 59/1. He scored a quick 12, Rishton won by 9 wickets and that was that.

So, just to ensure I saw him again, I went to the Worsley Cup semi final at Ramsbottom. He scored thirty odd, got out and Rishton lost.

Fair to say I never saw the best of him.

nil_desperandum wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:40 am

Yes. I recall it well.
Two points of interest:
1. Chris went on to be a much respected and popular teacher of science at St Ted's and later at The Sixth Form
2. He's Brendan's brother.

I can’t believe I didn’t know that! He taught me and I had no idea he could play cricket, as for his brother, I left before he became a prominent figure at Burnley

That final was a memorable day, with a crowd never likely to be repeated.We were sat on the grass bank behind the seats as there was no room on the seats , we created a mountain of empty cans as the day progressed

Thislink is the gallery of images of the ground at Bacup Road that Sunday afternoon if anybody's interested. I reckon Chris took 6 wickets in the final two overs pf spin bowling. I might stand to be corrected but it was a fantastic performance made very special by the crowd.


https://peterfisher.smugmug.com/History ... /i-fDVqhjC

kindonesque wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:07 am

Hey nil_
Is Chris retired from teaching do you know? He was some cricketer

(Only just spotted this)
Chris retired about 5 years ago. Maybe even 6 this time??
He left St Ted's when it closed to become Blessed Trinity, and moved down to the new Sixth Form Campus down Barden Lane. I don't really know him very well, so I'm not too sure on dates. He's still an ST holder in Bob Lord stand.

Wow...some great memories here as a 12 year old used to be a regular at Bacup road watching and getting some coaching off Mr Abid Ali and Mr P.G. Wood (my cricketing hero). I was there to see Alan Border hit 178 and a double decker at the bus stop on Bacup road and still ended up on the loosing side.

nil_desperandum wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:11 pm

(Only just spotted this)
Chris retired about 5 years ago. Maybe even 6 this time??
He left St Ted's when it closed to become Blessed Trinity, and moved down to the new Sixth Form Campus down Barden Lane. I don't really know him very well, so I'm not too sure on dates. He's still an ST holder in Bob Lord stand.

If he left at the same time as the other top teachers it was such a shame, Hildas & Teds were good schools. I loved my time at Teds and wouldn’t have changed to any other school but from the teachers I’ve since spoken to the change wasn’t a great idea in anyway probably more so for the school St Hildas was

Fazz wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:34 pm

Wow...some great memories here as a 12 year old used to be a regular at Bacup road watching and getting some coaching off Mr Abid Ali and Mr P.G. Wood (my cricketing hero). I was there to see Alan Border hit 178 and a double decker at the bus stop on Bacup road and still ended up on the loosing side.

That Border innings was in the Worsley Cup and I was there too. He got that big score not out that day and East Lancs lost. On the previous day at Burnley, he scored a not out ton in a league game and was on the losing side again. In that cup tie, Brian Ratcliffe cost East Lancs, he got a 50 and played for the collection, taking far too long. Couldn't have happened to anyone better other than perhaps Bryan Knowles at Haslingden. Abid Ali & Peter Wood I seem to recall sorted out the big total for Rawtenstall.

There is an article on Peter Wood in one of the recent Wisden monthly editions. Excellent batsman.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:51 pm

That Border innings was in the Worsley Cup and I was there too. He got that big score not out that day and East Lancs lost. On the previous day at Burnley, he scored a not out ton in a league game and was on the losing side again. In that cup tie, Brian Ratcliffe cost East Lancs, he got a 50 and played for the collection, taking far too long. Couldn't have happened to anyone better other than perhaps Bryan Knowles at Haslingden. Abid Ali & Peter Wood I seem to recall sorted out the big total for Rawtenstall.

I was there too that day... I'm pretty sure the Rawtenstall keeper, Manning played an important knock towards the end too.
It was one of the best games I've seen at any level of cricket. Border and Woody were both drinking in the Old House long into the night after the game.

Among the photographs credited to Mr Fisher on that day in the Worsley Cup final is an image of the Rossendale shoe manufacturing legend Pete (Peaky) Greenwood. He was a good mate of mine. He was about 6ft tall at age fourteen and I was three foot nowt. But we got on well as a mob and bucket. He was a Mod before Mods came to East Lancs.
Chris Flood studied A level Chemistry with me and two others at St Ted's. We also learnt to play contract bridge in the sixth form block at the school. I was useless. Floody was half decent.

kindonesque wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:49 am

Among the photographs credited to Mr Fisher on that day in the Worsley Cup final is an image of the Rossendale shoe manufacturing legend Pete (Peaky) Greenwood. He was a good mate of mine. He was about 6ft tall at age fourteen and I was three foot nowt. But we got on well as a mob and bucket. He was a Mod before Mods came to East Lancs.
Chris Flood studied A level Chemistry with me and two others at St Ted's. We also learnt to play contract bridge in the sixth form block at the school. I was useless. Floody was half decent.

I saw Peaky a few weeks ago walking on Newchurch Road in Rawtenstall, unfortunately I was driving and so didn't get chance to talk to him. Hadn't seen him for many years prior to that.

We played football together in the same team at St.Teds, and he was definitely Top Mod at school.

Chris Flood used to travel on the supporters club coach to away games

Mr Flood taught Chemistry when I was at the new sixth form on Barden Lane 06-08, didn't know he was called Chris until today!

fatboy47 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:06 pm

I was there too that day... I'm pretty sure the Rawtenstall keeper, Manning played an important knock towards the end too.
It was one of the best games I've seen at any level of cricket. Border and Woody were both drinking in the Old House long into the night after the game.

Good story Fatboy47! Some great names have played in the Lancashire League the thought of international stars going for a few pints after unthinkable now!The Old House a pub sadly long gone.

Target there was a typo in the bit about Peaky. We weren't Mob and Bucket more like Mod and Bucket.

kindonesque wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:43 pm

Thislink is the gallery of images of the ground at Bacup Road that Sunday afternoon if anybody's interested. I reckon Chris took 6 wickets in the final two overs pf spin bowling. I might stand to be corrected but it was a fantastic performance made very special by the crowd.


https://peterfisher.smugmug.com/History ... /i-fDVqhjC

They bring back some great memories, found myself on a couple of those!

fatboy47 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:06 pm

I'm pretty sure the Rawtenstall keeper, Manning played an important knock towards the end too.

I've looked it up - he did. Manning was a good Lancs League cricketer in his day.

Here are the two scorecards from that Border weekend - when Burnley had a second team player from Lancs as sub pro who didn't bowl too.

League v Burnley
http://lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/38/38185.html

Cup v Rawtenstall
http://lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/38/38197.html

Brian Manning was a stalwart of Rawtenstall Cricket Club and a top man.

Targetman wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:19 am

I saw Peaky a few weeks ago walking on Newchurch Road in Rawtenstall, unfortunately I was driving and so didn't get chance to talk to him. Hadn't seen him for many years prior to that.

We played football together in the same team at St.Teds, and he was definitely Top Mod at school.

You are right Targetman. I got my mod intro from hanging around the Greenwoods, the Connollys and John Davison. Who else was in the football team you mention?

"Bobsy" Davidson Played for Altrincham..

Bobsy Davison had a mini career as captain of Altrincham with some FA cup history. I played alongside him at Teds and he reminded me of Bobby Moore - not the fastest but very polished. I think he had trials at Arsenal. Another schoolteacher.

They were halcyon days for football at Ted's. I wonder who Cobble is?

kindonesque wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:27 am

"Bobsy" Davidson Played for Altrincham..

Am I correct in thinking Bobsy also played for England schoolboys or have I dreamt that?

Peaky was in the year above me at school both at St James the Less at Rawtenstall and St Theodores.
Once you were above the 4th form at St.Teds the various age groups played together in the school teams.
1st Xl, 2nd Xl etc.

When I moved up into the 5th form I was then playing in the team with lads who in some cases were 2 or 3 years older than me.

Some of the names which I can remember who played in the same team as myself and Peaky were Philip Whitehead, Billy McGrath, Pete Zajac, Paul Millar, there was also a lad called Albert whose surname escapes me. Just need my mind jogging to remember the rest!

The border weekend will take some beating up the colne

Chris Flood has read this thread and appreciates all the comments from from schoolmates, Diddy, colleagues, pupils etc. He tried to register so that he could post you a reply but has failed miserably so asked me to do so instead. Having spent many happy times growing up in his company and facing him as he bowled to a set of wickets chalked on the garage doors behind the houses where we lived, I know that he is modest about his exploits in 1976 but he really did deserve all the plaudits that day. The hangover was one to behold!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:01 am

I've looked it up - he did. Manning was a good Lancs League cricketer in his day.

Here are the two scorecards from that Border weekend - when Burnley had a second team player from Lancs as sub pro who didn't bowl too.

League v Burnley
http://lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/38/38185.html

Cup v Rawtenstall
http://lancashireleague.com/Scorecards/38/38197.html

I played against Brett Storey a few times when he went to Edenfield. Very good bowler even in his later years and very capable of hitting big 6s.

kindonesque wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:27 am

"Bobsy" Davidson Played for Altrincham..

Remember 'Bobsy' telling me some great stories of his time with Altrincham. Not particularly too well thought of in some parts of Merseyside after his challenge on Everton winger,John Connolly, in an FA Cup tie at Goodison Park, resulted in a broken leg for the Evertonian. Game ended 1-1, I think. He captained the English Universities XI too. Good company and liked to 'throw a few shapes' on the Mecca ballroom floor.