Lancashire League starts this week - which is your club?

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:26 pm

Burnley for me. Although I used to watch a fair few Enfield games when Conrad Hunte was pro. Was proud to call him a friend. Also noticed Collie Smith mentioned in an earlier post. What a player he was. Killed in a car crash way way too young. Still remember that day,

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:32 pm

I think Darwen will win it with Walsden seeming the best of the new clubs.

Is the format play everyone once (23 games)?

house claret · Post by **house claret** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:33 pm

from here to eternity i can hear come on thee house

Alanstevensonsgloves · Post by **Alanstevensonsgloves** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:54 pm

tybfc wrote:Played for Rishton for 20 years, joined their Committee as treasurer and secretary and ran their junior teams during the 1990's so I suppose the reason that they are so crap now is down to me.

I played with and against some outstanding professionals but feel that the standard of Lancs league cricket has dropped so much in the last decade I have stopped watching the first teams but wander onto Accrington when they have a second x1 game on to get away from the wife.

Plus I am addicted to Lancashire T20 on Friday nights.

You might remember my Uncle, Tom Lancaster? Lifelong Rishton Supporter and of course father-in-law and Grandad to the Wells dynasty!

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:59 pm

Lowerhouse for me, I didn't have a team until my son started playing.
We went down there after a sports school coach ( ben heap ) came in to his school and did cricket with the kids, he said my son should start playing as he seemed to enjoy it.
I took him down to Lowerhouse as it was the nearest to us to check it out, and we were welcomed with open arms.
He didn't have the slightest clue about anything cricket related, having literally only held a bat once during PE.
Now after 1 season he can't get enough of it, and he is learning all the time, I can't praise everyone at Lowerhouse enough for how they've treated us.
It seems such a well run family club, I can't wait to get involved more and learn more about club and its traditions.

Claretitus · Post by **Claretitus** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:03 pm

Having been brought up in, and lived most of my life in Ightenhill, its the 'House for me too.

Claretitus · Post by **Claretitus** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:11 pm

Foulthrow wrote:Are clitheroe anyone’s local team? Not for any of the players any road....

I live in Clitheroe now, but wouldn't watch 'em. Don't they fly their players up for the weekend?

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:28 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote:I think Darwen will win it with Walsden seeming the best of the new clubs.

Is the format play everyone once (23 games)?

Yes. Then in 2019 the league will split into divisions 1 and 2, play each other twice, 22 games.

BigRedrose · Post by **BigRedrose** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:36 pm

Another one for Burnley CC. Weather permitting, will be 'ticking' a new ground this Sunday when we visit Littleborough.

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:40 pm

Rawtenstall.

Though not been on for nearly (shhhhhhh) 40 years...

Always look for their score, though not with much enthusiasm lately.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:41 pm

Albert Ross is a Claret. Last saw him at Goodison this season with his lad and grandson

arise_sir_charge · Post by **arise_sir_charge** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:56 pm

MACCA wrote:Lowerhouse for me, I didn't have a team until my son started playing.
We went down there after a sports school coach ( ben heap ) came in to his school and did cricket with the kids, he said my son should start playing as he seemed to enjoy it.
I took him down to Lowerhouse as it was the nearest to us to check it out, and we were welcomed with open arms.
He didn't have the slightest clue about anything cricket related, having literally only held a bat once during PE.
Now after 1 season he can't get enough of it, and he is learning all the time, I can't praise everyone at Lowerhouse enough for how they've treated us.
It seems such a well run family club, I can't wait to get involved more and learn more about club and its traditions.

That’s great to hear Macca!

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:32 pm

Tod. Was a member as a kid and went on with my dad and sister.

Highlight had to be meeting Viv Richards.

Also found it amusing when Alan Donald's run up was from pretty much the boundary

tybfc · Post by **tybfc** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:39 pm

Alanstevensonsgloves wrote:You might remember my Uncle, Tom Lancaster? Lifelong Rishton Supporter and of course father-in-law and Grandad to the Wells dynasty!

Great bloke Tommy Lancaster and I remember him very well. He did a lot of work at Rishton.

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:46 pm

East lancs... Lived in Blackburn for 30+ years never seen the 1st team play but you should support the team where you live despite the juvenile rivalry

sanderson370 · Post by **sanderson370** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:13 pm

ShakyLee wrote:Always been Nelson for me, nigh on 60 years now! Been some great pros e.g. Neil Hawke, Sarfraz Nawaz, Larry Gomes, Collis King, Kapil Dev, Eric Simons, Steve Waugh & Joe Scuderi.

i have to agree with shaky lee nelson for me.i spent 25 years watching nelson home and away but late 1990 the standard of proffesionals deteriorated because good pros played 12 months of the year around the world so were payed better money elsewhere.the knock on effect now is the standard of the 1st team player is what in that era would have 3rd eleven at best.
its such a shame the demise of the Lancashire league attracting good pros which had a knock on effect on increase in gates more money being spent in bars around the league thus being able vto afford international cricketers.nothing would entice me to watch Lancashire league cricket now.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:19 pm

Nelson for me.. The class act of the Lancashire league..

arise_sir_charge · Post by **arise_sir_charge** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:22 pm

sanderson370 wrote:i have to agree with shaky lee nelson for me.i spent 25 years watching nelson home and away but late 1990 the standard of proffesionals deteriorated because good pros played 12 months of the year around the world so were payed better money elsewhere.the knock on effect now is the standard of the 1st team player is what in that era would have 3rd eleven at best.
its such a shame the demise of the Lancashire league attracting good pros which had a knock on effect on increase in gates more money being spent in bars around the league thus being able vto afford international cricketers.nothing would entice me to watch Lancashire league cricket now.

Absolute nonsense.

The pros aren’t as good, for reasons outside of the control of clubs, but there are still some serious amateur players and it’s simply not true that the amateurs were so much better back in the day.

The standard of a top end Lancs League game can be outstanding for amateur sport.

I’d say that any of the top teams today would live with the better teams of the past. The pro would maybe be the difference but the amateurs in the best teams would be as good and probably better prepared than back in the day.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:27 pm

Why do pros play in the amateur leagues? I'm guessing county cricket is like the big fully professional league and the Lancashire local league is like Sunday league in footballing terms?

Like Shane Warne played for Accy, is that not like Steven Defour playing for the Princess Royal pub team?

Ashingtonclaret46 · Post by **Ashingtonclaret46** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:34 pm

I remember Nelson playing Church in 1961 in Chester Watson's first season and this was his last match before he was injured in a car crash and never played again that season. Mind you I did see Sobers, Worrell and quite a few others who appeared as deputy professionals, however, back to the match.
Nelson batted first and were all out for 51 in 22.5 overs with Chester taking 6 wickets for 5 runs in 9 overs ---five of these were clean bowled.
Church then were dismissed for 50 in 35.4 overs with Johnnie Wardle taking 5 for 16 in 16 overs.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:35 pm

Ashingtonclaret46 wrote:I remember Nelson playing Church in 1961 in Chester Watson's first season and this was his last match before he was injured in a car crash and never played again that season. Mind you I did see Sobers, Worrell and quite a few others who appeared as deputy professionals, however, back to the match.
Nelson batted first and were all out for 51 in 22.5 overs with Chester taking 6 wickets for 5 runs in 9 overs ---five of these were clean bowled.
Church then were dismissed for 50 in 35.4 overs with Johnnie Wardle taking 5 for 16 in 16 overs.

I was on that match Ashy with my butties,scorecard and pen ..

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:44 pm

KRBFC wrote:Why do pros play in the amateur leagues? I'm guessing county cricket is like the big fully professional league and the Lancashire local league is like Sunday league in footballing terms?

Like Shane Warne played for Accy, is that not like Steven Defour playing for the Princess Royal pub team?

1st eleven cricket is more the standard of the semi professional football teams in the area like Padiham and Colne.

The 4 or 5 hundred quid goes on one pro in cricket instead of 11 players plus subs in football.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:47 pm

N-E-L-S-O-N.... Nelson boys are here again

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 8:49 pm

Rawtenstall... loved the Pro Abid Ali

RocketLawnChair · Post by **RocketLawnChair** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:24 pm

sanderson370 wrote:i have to agree with shaky lee nelson for me.i spent 25 years watching nelson home and away but late 1990 the standard of proffesionals deteriorated because good pros played 12 months of the year around the world so were payed better money elsewhere.the knock on effect now is the standard of the 1st team player is what in that era would have 3rd eleven at best.
its such a shame the demise of the Lancashire league attracting good pros which had a knock on effect on increase in gates more money being spent in bars around the league thus being able vto afford international cricketers.nothing would entice me to watch Lancashire league cricket now.

What a load of unadulterated crap. England’s all time leading wicket taker in cricketing history played as an amateur in the Lancashire League between 1998 and 2002. I suppose He’s done ok for a 3rd X1 standard cricketer though. I would say the Lance League is putting more players onto the county circuit more than anytime in its illustrious history.

And just to add balance I played in the era you speak so fondly of.

kilmalley · Post by **kilmalley** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:30 pm

Walsden

......
and by the way Albert (E) Ross is currently a driving school instructor
seen recently from the street in his car teaching a pupil before Burnley v Everton match.

Albert was a Walsden lad himself. Knew him well in the 60s.

Have many more memories of Walsden Cricket and Bowling Club from those days.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:56 pm

clansman wrote:Rishton
Sleeping Giants!!
Maybe not !

Most of our batters usually look like they're sleeping at the crease!

Stalbansclaret · Post by **Stalbansclaret** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:02 pm

Super Colne ! Some happy weekend afternoons spent watching Collis King try and break the windows of houses on the other side of Keighley Road.
Hard times of late though.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:25 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote:1st eleven cricket is more the standard of the semi professional football teams in the area like Padiham and Colne.

The 4 or 5 hundred quid goes on one pro in cricket instead of 11 players plus subs in football.

So the big international professionals turn down the chance to play at the highest level (county?) in favour of playing in the amateur league for financial gain? I didn't realise the professionals earned so little compared to the other sports. I might hire Chris Gayle as my personal chef for a week at £550 just for the f**k of it.

Stacky_claret · Post by **Stacky_claret** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:34 pm

The mighty Bacup

tybfc · Post by **tybfc** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:52 pm

Stacky_claret wrote:The mighty Bacup

Do you still hang your washing up along the terraced streets on the way to the ground?

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:55 pm

Nelson, although haven’t been on for ages.

COBBLE · Post by **COBBLE** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:02 pm

It's Lowerhouse for me. First pro I saw was one Pascal Roberts. Iconic ground. I'm so proud of people like Jack, Clifford, Joe W. Dave Wren, Rusty, Alan, Phil Astin, Stan, the Hopes, Frank and so many (I apologise) for having forgotten.

criminalclaret · Post by **criminalclaret** » Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:10 pm

Played at Rawtenstall as a youth though was closer to Haslingden and had more mates who played up there.

Jesus though Bentgate has to be one of the coldest grounds I've ever played on. It could be 20C and sweltering in the rest of Rossendale and you'd be wearing 3 layers and a jumper up there!

Sheffclaret · Post by **Sheffclaret** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:20 am

I'm a Nelsoner, played there for around 20 years now if you include the juniors!

KRBFC wrote:So the big international professionals turn down the chance to play at the highest level (county?) in favour of playing in the amateur league for financial gain? I didn't realise the professionals earned so little compared to the other sports. I might hire Chris Gayle as my personal chef for a week at £550 just for the f**k of it.

Not quite! This is the point made further up - The big international's aren't coming to play in the league anymore as they are getting big contracts to play in tournaments like the IPL when they aren't playing for their country. Chris Gayle might want £550 an over, never mind a week! Back in the day, they were getting paid more for playing in the LL than anywhere else.

The English county's now can only take couple of overseas players so the spaces are limited, therefore the pros who aren't getting selected for our counties come over for the summer and play in the amateur leagues for a few quid (a few more quid at certain clubs).

CleggHall · Post by **CleggHall** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:39 am

Joel Garner was paid more at Littleborough in the 70s than any other English county could then afford. Receipts from 2 one-armed bandits in the club which was well frequented by the Littleboro boozing and gambling community. In any case he was turned down by Lancashire when he went to nets at Old Trafford.

Hopey · Post by **Hopey** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:55 am

criminalclaret wrote:Played at Rawtenstall as a youth though was closer to Haslingden and had more mates who played up there.

Jesus though Bentgate has to be one of the coldest grounds I've ever played on. It could be 20C and sweltering in the rest of Rossendale and you'd be wearing 3 layers and a jumper up there!

For about 10 years we always managed to get Bacup in the first game of the season - I can guarantee April Bacup is colder than April Haslingden!

tybfc · Post by **tybfc** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:05 am

July Bacup is colder than July Antarctica

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:05 am

Learie Constantine was reputed to be the highest paid sportsman in Britain when he played for Nelson in the 1930's.

Hopey · Post by **Hopey** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:10 am

Shameful plug: We (Lowerhouse) have done a lot of work over the last 2 years compiling articles of our history. Link if your interested. Yes, yes, yes - most of our history is trophyless (well, the first 142 years)

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:20 am

Always been Lowerhouse for me. Lived in that part of town all my life and good friends with Blez from school where we were in the same classes and played in the same football team for many years.

Also remember the fierce Burnley v House rivalry and the stick Roland Harrison used to get (who was my mates dad)

It’s a great league and had some unbelievable cricketers play in it. I went to watch Lowerhouse play at Rishton many years ago so I could see Blez play against Viv Richards. Unfortunately I cannot remember anything about the actual game - anyone who has any details of the scorecard that day would be great if you could post it. I can’t even remember whether Blez played - but I am pretty sure Viv Richards did.

Hopey · Post by **Hopey** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:27 am

TVC15 wrote:Always been Lowerhouse for me. Lived in that part of town all my life and good friends with Blez from school where we were in the same classes and played in the same football team for many years.

Also remember the fierce Burnley v House rivalry and the stick Roland Harrison used to get (who was my mates dad)

It’s a great league and had some unbelievable cricketers play in it. I went to watch Lowerhouse play at Rishton many years ago so I could see Blez play against Viv Richards. Unfortunately I cannot remember anything about the actual game - anyone who has any details of the scorecard that day would be great if you could post it. I can’t even remember whether Blez played - but I am pretty sure Viv Richards did.

Richards played in 1987.

Our home game was rained off -Scorecard
Away game (last game of season) - looks like he didn't play (may have gone home by then) - Scorecard (Blez played though!)

I remember Allan Donald steaming in at Rishton - heres a picture of him skittling Charlie Cottam (with Blez at the other end) (1996)

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:28 am

Jeez my memory is worse than i thought !!

Wonder whether it’s Alan Donald I went to see play against Blez.

Hopey · Post by **Hopey** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:33 am

Most probably, plus, Blez got 60. Scorecard

arise_sir_charge · Post by **arise_sir_charge** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:58 am

Just to help jog your memory TVC, that day against Alan Donald in 1996 was also the day of the Manchester IRA bomb and the England V Scotland Euro 1996 game!

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:24 pm

Hopey wrote:Richards played in 1987.

Our home game was rained off -Scorecard
Away game (last game of season) - looks like he didn't play (may have gone home by then) - Scorecard (Blez played though!)

I remember Allan Donald steaming in at Rishton - heres a picture of him skittling Charlie Cottam (with Blez at the other end) (1996)

Remember watching Donald steam in at Bacup Road anyone who managed to get bat on the ball jogged for a single while player at the non strikers end was pushing for 2!!

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:24 pm

Well that means I definitely was not at Rishton on that day as I can remember watching the match.

I am pretty sure that I went to Rishton to see Viv Richards play and maybe he was supposed to be playing and didn't.

Who knows I might have dreamt the whole thing and did not even go to school with Blez or play in the same team with him for 7 years ? Does Blez even exist ?

Right where did I put my car keys ?!!

Hopey · Post by **Hopey** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:28 pm

TVC15 wrote:Well that means I definitely was not at Rishton on that day as I can remember watching the match.

I am pretty sure that I went to Rishton to see Viv Richards play and maybe he was supposed to be playing and didn't.

Who knows I might have dreamt the whole thing and did not even go to school with Blez or play in the same team with him for 7 years ? Does Blez even exist ?

Right where did I put my car keys ?!!

Blez is a figment of everyones imagination

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:32 pm

No I think he was real - I remember having to carry him for 7 years twice a week every time we played football by making sure I scored enough to make up for his goalkeeping errors !!
He never even wanted to go in the nets - he secretly thought he was a left winger !!

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Tue Apr 10, 2018 1:04 pm

Lowerhouse.

Though, to be fair, I haven't actually seen them play since we were regularly the strongest team in the League - always at the bottom of the pile! 1984 would have been the last season I attended!