Lancashire Colts withdraw from the League in 2015 The Lancasire Colts will withdraw from the Northern Premier League at the end of this season So as to avoid any speculation for this decision we have the following email from Johnh Stanworth the Lancashire CCC Academy Director to Norman Poole our League Chairman Dear Norman In the last six weeks of a busy cricketing schedule I have been in discussion with Geoff Ogden, Mike Watkinson, Bobby Denning, Bob Dearden and Chris Benbow over the Colts and the side's cricketing status, value and sustainability. I believe you will have an insight into these discussions with a call from Mike Watkinson From the very start of the involvement of the Colts in the Northern Premier League Cricket League we have involved Lancashire's coaching and management staff in the process that we beleive offers our emrerging youngsters the opportunity to play in a different and challenging enviroment. We have attempted to run the side as we would any playing for the Red Rose In the last two seasons the issues of selection and availability have proved to be increasingly difficult for us to overcome. In this regard the quality of our Colt's side is inconsistent and the competition we provide to our hosts is a reflection of this In a meeting at Old Trafford in May to discuss this we looked at the probable reasons for recent difficulties in being able to field the quality Colts teams we would always wish to. We are aware of the understandable minor critisms levied at us in this regard and the meeting was called in part to discuss this. The following are the noted observations made regarding the challanges with selection and getting the 'right' sort of players available to represent us 1: The Lancashire League play games on every Sunday, the CLL most Sundays and therefore their players are rarely available for selection and do not have the opportunity to show their talent 2: There are more National Cup games played now than previously which rules out players for selection 3: Lancashire and Cheshire Cup games are played on a Sunday 4: If these Cup games are rained off invariably they will replay the following Sunday, a day when the players had originally made themslves available for the Colts 5: There is a trend to play 20/20 club games on Sunday and indeed there is a new 20/20 Club Competition 6: There are G.C.S.E., AS and A2 level study and exams and an increased prominence/importance in a young preson's life. A commitment to studies until the 3rd week in June means players do not make themselves available on Sundays. Paricularly if they have played for their club on Saturdays 7: From the end of June until the end of August the County's Under 17's play 2 day and 1 day games in a National Competition. This means players play 3 days during the week and again for their clubs on Saturday making Sunday a day when they should rest. 8: The same applies with Lancashire's Under 19 players who are committed to 2 day cricket midweek from the beginning of July to the end of August as well as club games on Saturdays We have also benn made aware of a desire by the League for the Colts to play fixtures at home and away and become a full playing member of the NPCL. Although in principale this would be an ideal for most interested parties , in practise it is impossible for us. A 'home' ground is not an easy solution yet this apart we would be selecting players who are making up numbers because of the selection challenges highlighted in playing only away games The discussion on this made us aware that we are currently not able to give the right individuals the regular opportunity to demonstrate their talents in a consistently competitive side. This has to be our focus and if this is being continually compromised then the value of the Colts is significantly reduced. The side to play against. Personally I don't wish the Colts to be compromised in this way or our association to be negatively effected as a consequence It is therefore with genuine regret that we have decided to withdraw the Colts from the Northern Premier Cricket League at the end of the 2014 season In doing so can I take this opportunity to extend our thanks and appreciation to all concerned in inviting us into the League in the first place; making us feel a valued member. It has been a worthwhile venture for Lancashire CCC and we have learned some valuable lessons about our players playing in the League and Cup Competitions The welcome you, other members of the League Management and the Clubs have given all associated with the Colts has not been lost on any of us John Stanworth Academy Director Lancashire County Cricket Club

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