With the local cricket season starting in only 8 weeks and friendlies starting on the 1st April how are clubs plans/preparations coming along.

Presume winter nets have now started for the majority and has there been many transfers confirmed. Looking forward to seeing how all the new professionals get on.

Will also be interesting to see how the new North West Cricket League gets on in its inaugural season. It should see more competitive cricket for all the ex Ribblesdale League clubs and hopefully raise the standard as well even though it means more travelling for them to away games.

Not sure how much mileage is in the NWCL, a lot of Bolton League clubs wouldn’t enter the GMCL as they said there was too much travelling. That was an excuse as some clubs would have found themselves well down the pyramid as standards on and off the pitch had declined. It sounds a bit like the Pennine League without the travelling.

A lot of excitement about the new North West cri ket league.
Lots of talk about clubs putting coaches on for away games for fans.
I'm certainly looking forward to visiting some new grounds.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:17 pm

A lot of excitement about the new North West cri ket league.
Lots of talk about clubs putting coaches on for away games for fans.
I'm certainly looking forward to visiting some new grounds.

My experience of Bolton League clubs in the Lancs KO is that it’s hill billy country! Always found them to be unwelcoming and full of dick heads on and off the field.

arise_sir_charge wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:08 pm

My experience of Bolton League clubs in the Lancs KO is that it’s hill billy country! Always found them to be unwelcoming and full of dick heads on and off the field.

I've been to a few myself already and always found them alright.
Never had a problem at any ground.

I suppose Lowerhouse will play in front of a lot bigger crowds/followings though.

I can’t wait!
Everytime I walk past Lowerhouse with the dog, the kids ask how long until it starts again, the 4 year old can’t wait for the ice cream van and chips from the tea room, the eldest wants the chicken wings (haven’t told them the food company are open all year round)

arise_sir_charge wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:08 pm

My experience of Bolton League clubs in the Lancs KO is that it’s hill billy country! Always found them to be unwelcoming and full of dick heads on and off the field.

Played in the league for 23 years, that’s not far off the mark, their idea of banter was more like personal abuse, our crime was been based in Bury.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:17 pm

A lot of excitement about the new North West cri ket league.
Lots of talk about clubs putting coaches on for away games for fans.
I'm certainly looking forward to visiting some new grounds.

The novelty will wear off, can’t imagine there’s much thrill going to Walkden or Farnworth Social Circle for a pleasant afternoon of cricket.

So is this new league basically just the Ribblesdale league with a few teams from the Greater Manchester area?

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:46 pm

So is this new league basically just the Ribblesdale league with a few teams from the Greater Manchester area?

Ribblesdale League plus about 10 from the Bolton League / Bolton Association

As long as the sun shines, the beers cold and there's half decent cricket going on.
We will all be happy this summer.

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:37 pm

I can’t wait!
Everytime I walk past Lowerhouse with the dog, the kids ask how long until it starts again, the 4 year old can’t wait for the ice cream van and chips from the tea room, the eldest wants the chicken wings (haven’t told them the food company are open all year round)

I hope you finally say hello this season

I think there is too much meddling about with leagues ... the Central Lancashire League was very competitive until the teams went into GMCL ...

That said the Lancashire League has a top league where nearly every team is a decent team...

I am hoping Walsden do a little better this time we have Jake Hooson back as captain so hopefully back to good opening partnerships...should be well served in slow bowling department and long batting order

I back Norden every year ... but think Littleborough will do okay

wbfc wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 11:04 pm

I think there is too much meddling about with leagues ... the Central Lancashire League was very competitive until the teams went into GMCL ...

That said the Lancashire League has a top league where nearly every team is a decent team...

I am hoping Walsden do a little better this time we have Jake Hooson back as captain so hopefully back to good opening partnerships...should be well served in slow bowling department and long batting order

I back Norden every year ... but think Littleborough will do okay

Once one league changed and attracted clubs it left vacancies for other clubs.

The main reasons were to raise standards/competition. There was a thought to try and get Premier league credited for funding and ECB backing. Although I'm not sure if that has majorly helped.
The ECB/government were trying to phase out overseas pro's for leagues not of Premier league accreditation, but they must have delayed this again.

The ECB wants feeder leagues to try and make sure the best play the best to keep standards high.

MACCA wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 17, 2023 8:19 pm

I hope you finally say hello this season

I’ve sponsored one of the T20s, get yourself in for some Buffett, I cant remember which one though, I’ll double check with Frank but I think it’s Darwen on the 23rd June.

Really looking forward to the new season. Our ( Littleborough) first game is at home against Burnley. As most of my Clarets supporting mates are Burnley CC members it should make for a memorable day on and off the pitch! Talk of unwelcoming environments reminds me of a game I played in at Dalton in Furness in the Lancashire Cup. Only time I have feared for my personal safety on a cricket ground. As Peter Kay would say "it's not the end of the world, but you can see it".

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:13 am

I’ve sponsored one of the T20s, get yourself in for some Buffett, I cant remember which one though, I’ll double check with Frank but I think it’s Darwen on the 23rd June.

Tremendous, I try get down for the T20, but I'm.hit and miss with work etc.
But I do love a good buffet

Lowerhouse have announced the signing of S Parry and G Sabir for the forthcoming season.

Parry, last seasons pro, is returning as an amateur and other commitments are expected to limit his appearances . I can see this ruffling a few feathers around the league and on this board.

UTH

Let’s hope that we have a good season weather wise with some good cricket

Bigbopper wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:19 am

Lowerhouse have announced the signing of S Parry and G Sabir for the forthcoming season.

Parry, last seasons pro, is returning as an amateur and other commitments are expected to limit his appearances . I can see this ruffling a few feathers around the league and on this board.

UTH

I do remember it being said on here that we may see Parry back at some point and it confusing a few (including myself)

We need a few dry weeks now, cricket grounds are currently wet through so no time to prep for the friendlies and opener in 3 weeks

Herd a few lancs league teams are sayingex pros are playing as amateurs that is what the lancs league committee have created let’s see if they do anything about it or why not just have a rule to say you can pay any players you want glad we are in div 2 and remember everybody upthecolne

Where is Lenny ?

MT03ALG wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:45 am

Where is Lenny ?

above you

Ah yes there he is. Up the Colne !!

I’ll be surprised if any of the friendlies go ahead this weekend.

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:13 am

I’ve sponsored one of the T20s, get yourself in for some Buffett, I cant remember which one though, I’ll double check with Frank but I think it’s Darwen on the 23rd June.

Are we all invited ?

UTH

Was at the AGM last night at Lowerhouse and it's not looking too good for any of
the early friendlies, although they were loathed to call any off at this juncture.

Watch this space, as they say.

All friendlies this weekend seemed to have been cancelled already.

Padiham's trip to Colwyn bay next weekend is still going ahead as they say the weather down there has been alright.

Parry is a great signing as an amateur. Incidentally it was Bigbopper who came to mind when I read about the signing, he was certainly a critic in here.

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:55 am

Are we all invited ?

UTH

Of course pretty sure it’s the Darwen game

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 9:10 am

All friendlies this weekend seemed to have been cancelled already.

Padiham's trip to Colwyn bay next weekend is still going ahead as they say the weather down there has been alright.

Parry is a great signing as an amateur. Incidentally it was Bigbopper who came to mind when I read about the signing, he was certainly a critic in here.

You are correct, i did not think he put in enough match winning performances. .Tidy and economical bowler, competent batsman but not an entertainer

Hope next season works out for him and the club although I have reservations about this type of signing as it could limit opportunities for the younger players.

UTH

Forecasts looking better for next weekend so there might be a few games going ahead then.
God knows what state the pitches will be in though. Good luck to the groundsmen.

Rotherham United's manager, Matt Taylor, has just signed for my local team to play this summer. Supposed to be a good batsman, looking forward to mentioning how we won the title on his ground.

Bigbopper wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 9:32 am

You are correct, i did not think he put in enough match winning performances. .Tidy and economical bowler, competent batsman but not an entertainer

Hope next season works out for him and the club although I have reservations about this type of signing as it could limit opportunities for the younger players.

UTH

I thought Parry would be a really good signing for Lowerhouse but it didn't quite work out that way. A good pro is one who makes the difference on the day and wins you games.

Regarding him coming back and playing as an amateur. Of course, that wouldn't have been allowed some years ago but things have changed and didn't Burnley do just the same in 2018 when Chris Holt went from pro to amateur?

Alan Worsick, who sadly passed away recently, went from pro at Rawtenstall in 1979 to playing as an amateur the following season so not a new thing.

Looking forward to new season as Rawtenstall should be fielding a stronger team this year. Just need it to stop raining.

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 9:29 am

Of course pretty sure it’s the Darwen game

That's a coincidence as I've only recently moved to Darwen !!!

Good fun with the local footy fans at the moment too.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 9:45 am

I thought Parry would be a really good signing for Lowerhouse but it didn't quite work out that way. A good pro is one who makes the difference on the day and wins you games.

Regarding him coming back and playing as an amateur. Of course, that wouldn't have been allowed some years ago but things have changed and didn't Burnley do just the same in 2018 when Chris Holt went from pro to amateur?

I think it’s all part of cricket trying to evolve and build up the spectators, you have to remember the pros playing in the league these days aren’t on par with those that played in the 60’s etc, so it’s different in that sense but I do understand why some folk might not see it that way.

We're only anticipating around 10 appearances at best with his commitments elsewhere.

Yes, it was disappointing last season but there were extenuating circumstances in some instances

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:04 am

I think it’s all part of cricket trying to evolve and build up the spectators, you have to remember the pros playing in the league these days aren’t on par with those that played in the 60’s etc, so it’s different in that sense but I do understand why some folk might not see it that way.

Absolutely. League cricket is nothing like it was when my dad first took me to Burnley around 1960/61. The league was full of international cricketers then. Lance Gibbs was at Burnley in 1961 and also in the league then were Wes Hall, Seymour Nurse, Chester Watson, Chandu Borde and Conrad Hunte.

Everything changed a few years later with players from outside the UK able to sign for counties. Burnley had already signed Asif Iqbal for 1967 but he pulled out to sign for Kent. Add to that all the other changes, international cricket all year round, competitions like the IPL etc. You are so right, league cricket has to evolve and why would a cricket league today want to turn away players because they've played as professionals in the previous year?

Jake Lehmen is pro'ing for Little Lever in the new North West league. A more famous father but he has been an overseas player for both Yorks and Lancs in the recent past.

Why would anybody play as a amateur when still good enough to play as a pro and get well payed for it get ready for some funny replies upthecolne

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:33 am

Jake Lehmen is pro'ing for Little Lever in the new North West league. A more famous father but he has been an overseas player for both Yorks and Lancs in the recent past.

Completely forgot about his stint at Lancs.
Didn’t he end up dropped to the seconds?

Bordeauxclaret wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:10 am

Completely forgot about his stint at Lancs.
Didn’t he end up dropped to the seconds?

I can't remember much about him to be honest. 3 ducks and then a century ring a bell, but I could just be making that up.

https://www.cricket365.com/match-detail/34770/scorecard

Looks like he did.

Bordeauxclaret wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:32 am

https://www.cricket365.com/match-detail/34770/scorecard

Looks like he did.

He even got outscored by Parry.

Any recommendations for best stand/seats for Old Trafford? I'm thinking of taking my Uncle over for a Vitality Blast game in the summer. I've never been before. I don't want to end up in an area that stands or is filled with drinkers as he's in his late 70s, but would also like a decent view.

FlixtonClarets your man, he may even be able to sort you some tickets, pretty sure he’s on the committee there

Probably won’t have many rowdy areas for the group games apart from Yorkshire.
The two tier stands behind the bowlers arm opposite the old pavilion are probably best for a viewing point.

I’d avoid the lower tier though, can be chilly even on a warm day.

All you Lancashire members on here will know that your membership card no longer admits you into the ground. You have to order a ticket (at no cost of course ) and either download it onto your phone or print it off.

What on earth is all this about? My membership is the one that allows you ten or eleven days at the cricket each season. I've printed off a ticket for the first day of the Surrey game next week, but what if it's pouring down and I decide not to go? Do I lose one of my days, or do I contact the club to say I'm not going?

What with the Blackburn ballot and now this, I've had enough of ticket offices for the time being.

Longsidelenny1882 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:50 am

Why would anybody play as a amateur when still good enough to play as a pro and get well payed for it get ready for some funny replies upthecolne

Not many proing jobs that allow you to play 10-15 games a season spread out from April to September.

Groundsmen must be tearing their hair out with this weather trying to get pitches ready. A few friendlies already been called off.