Secretary's Report for Season 2014
It was back 1990 that Blackpool CC last won the Division 1 Championship, and I must congratulate Paul Danson and his team for their magnificent feat for regaining the championship in 2014 in fine style. Christi Viljoen, the Blackpool CC professional proved a wonderful signing and we welcome him back into the League for the 2015 season. They were pushed all the way by Leyland CC, who finished Division 1 runners-up. In Division 2 Leyland CC, led by Ian Farrington regained the Championship with Blackpool CC finishing runners-up.
The Readers Cup was won very fittingly in their last season by the Lancashire Colts beating St. Anne's CC. The Colts had been members of the League for 4 years and will be sadly missed.
Leyland 2nd Xl continued their dominance in the Readers 2nd Division Cup by making it 4 wins in a row.
The TWP Wealth Twenty/20 Trophy was won by Netherfield CC who went onto represent the NPL in the ECB Twenty/20 Area Final. Unfortunately, they were beaten in the final by Northern CC. I must thank all the clubs and officials for staging the finals for us this season.
Finally I must congratulate Chorley CC for their fantastic cup run in the ECB Royal London Club Championship. They were beaten in the semi-final to Sandiacre Town from Derbyshire, who went onto win the trophy. A truly valiant effort by Andy Holdsworth and his team.
We once again played host to the M.C.C. who under the leadership of Roland Horridge fielded a very strong side but unfortunately beat the NPL U 21's in the last over of the match
I must thank the committee, officials and volunteers at Darwen CC who staged the game for us and who have kindly agreed to host the game once again in 2015.
Blackpool CC hosted the Lookers Twenty/20 Inter League Competition on behalf of the NPL. We reached the final, however were beaten by the Lancashire League. I must also thank the committee, members and volunteers of Blackpool CC who helped in staging this competition for the League.
In 2015 the Ribblesdale League will be hosting the competition. I must once again thank all the players who represented the League and their clubs for releasing them to play.
On behalf of the League, I must thank Clive Henderson and also Brian Standing for managing both teams for us.
In the 2015 season we have entered the senior section of the Inter League competition, which will be managed by Andy Kellett. We have been drawn away in the first round to the North Lancashire and Cumbria League and I hope that we will all support this exciting competition
I must welcome our new Vice-Chairman, Phil Watmough and also Andy Kellett who has officially come onto the Executive as the Fixture Secretary. Again, not only must I thank the entire Executive for all their support but also all the clubs for their continued help and assistance.
Both Fleetwood CC and Morecambe CC started their ground work during the 2014 season and I must thank all our clubs for helping both clubs stage their fixtures.
Off the field, we introduced new rules for the 2014 season. I must at this point thank the Northern League Umpire's Federation and all its members for implementing the rain interruption rule, which both parties have tweaked for the 2015 season.
In fact the Executive have gone through all the rules for the 2015 season. I must especially thank Chris Lavery, Phil Watmough and Chris Coxhead in helping me with this.
In the summer of the 2014 season the ECB rolled out the 2nd phase of the Player's Survey. As a League we can't ignore the findings; with nationally another 7% of players leaving the game of cricket; totalling a massive 14% in the last 2 years.
I feel for the 2015 season as a League, we have looked at our survey results and made significant changes for the forthcoming season. Therefore, producing more opportunities for our players to play cricket in a format they are happy with.
I cannot start to emphasise how much support the League receives from both the LCB and ECB. I must personally thank Bobby Denning, the Director and Paul Bryson the Leagues and Clubs Manager for the LCB for their constant help and assistance they give to the League's and Club's Manager from the LCB, for everything they do for the Northern Premier League and all our Clubs.
The LCB now attend all our Executive and when possible our League meetings; which can only benefit the League. I must also thank Paul Bedford, Head of Non-First Class Cricket and Ally Jarvis, Participation Manager from the ECB, who, without their constant support and assistance, the League would not function at its present format. We have been given many challenges from both governing bodies for the next couple of seasons; which if achieved can only be for the good of cricket and the League.
On your behalf, I must thank our League and Cup Sponsors - Chorley Building Society, Readers Balls and TWP Wealth who have all agreed to sponsor us again for the 2015 season. We could not function without their continued support. A special thanks goes to both John Kettlestring and Tony Dawber for producing the 2015 handbook. Having to collate the entire handbook is a mammoth job and I am truly indebted to them both. I must also thank Richard Edmondson for producing weekly reports for both our websites and for checking the scorecards on play cricket.
I wish everybody a fantastic 2015 season and let's hope the sun shines for us all!
Enjoy your cricket
Ann Gilfoyle
SECRETARY
