Norman Poole looks back on the season and ahead to
2013
Season 2012 was one of the wettest Season's that I have known in all my many years involved with the Northern League. The number of matches either abandoned or interfered with through the awful wet weather that the League suffered was quite unbelievable. Not only was that bad enough but two of our Clubs Fleetwood and Morecambe suffered a calamitous situation when major drain collapse meant that they could not complete their fixtures on their own Grounds
However other Member Clubs came to the aid of the two affected Clubs by offering their Grounds so as Fleetwood and Morecambe could in fact play cricket and complete their fixtures This sort of sympathy, understanding and bonding by all Our Clubs makes the League what it is, a League full of generous people with one thing in mind that is to play cricket the game that we love. I don't believe anyone, at any Cricket ground in the Country could foresee what happened to the two affected Clubs. Underground drains sometimes cannot cope with the amount of water that came down this year and they collapse causing serious flooding, it could, of course happen to any Club. Bearing all this in mind I would personally thank the Clubs that came to the aid of Fleetwood and Morecambe it was a tremendous gesture on your part.
Viewing Season 2012 the First Division Title was eventually won by Fleetwood in a close finish with several Clubs closely chasing them right up to the last Match. Barrow eventually finishing in second place it was a credit to both Clubs the way that they hung on until the end and I congratulate them both.
The Second Division was won for a second year in succession by Leyland with once again Barrow claiming second place and again my congratulations go to both Clubs.
The Reader's Cup, first Division was won, at the second time of trying, by Fleetwood in an exciting game at Shap Road.,. once again my congratulations go to both Clubs who survived the weather and produced an exciting Cup Final. On the two occasions Kendal CC. are to be thanked for the effort that they put in for looking after all the many Supporters who attended the Cup Final.
The Second Division Cup was won by Leyland who defeated St. Annes at Vernon Road And my congratulations go once again to both Clubs on reaching the Cup Final and, also to St. Annes CC. for the excellent way that they staged the Cup Final
The 20/20 Competition was won by Fleetwood CC. on a beautiful day at Broadwater, that was of course before the broken drains had their say, and again I congratulate Fleetwood CC. on this success. They went on to play in the regional Rounds but sadly lost at New Brighton.
One very sad aspect of the 2012 Season is that Carnforth C. C. who joined the League in Season 2006 have unfortunately decided to leave us and won't be part of the League any longer thus reducing the League to thirteen Clubs, including the Lancashire Academy team once again. We will of course miss Carnforth but the League Executive are striving hard to replace them by attempting to bring in more Clubs into the League.
At the time of writing I am waiting for confirmation from our main Sponsors, Furness Building Society as to whether or not they intend to continue with the Sponsorship. But if they do decline I have a potential replacement, hopefully, ready and waiting to take over.
Speaking of Sponsors, Readers Cricket Balls and TWP Financial Planning have both decided to continue with their Sponsorship for Season 2013. We are extremely grateful for the kind gesture and thank them very much.
Once again at the time of writing the League Executive Committee are in the process of streamlining our Discipline Rules etc. to bring the League more in line with ECB Premier League regulations. The proposed changes will of course assist Umpires in controlling Matches and make Players and Club Officials more aware of what is expected of them under the Rules. It is to be hoped that all our Clubs will support Rule changes at the forthcoming Annual general Meeting.
All our Clubs have many involved people both Players and Administrators who work extremely hard throughout the Season to keep our Clubs afloat and I sincerely thank you all for your efforts. The League Executive Committee also work extremely hard in helping me administer the League, seemingly more so in the 2012 Season which I can tell you has been a minefield of problems and I thank you all most sincerely. Let us hope that we have better weather and a good cricketing Season in 2013.
Norman Poole, Chairman, October 2012
