Lancashire League Handbook 2015

3 The League as we know it today evolved from a League formed at a meeting held at the Commercial Hotel, Accrington, on October 25th 1890, namely the NORTH EAST LANCASHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE comprising 13 clubs: Accrington, Bacup, Burnley, Church, Colne, East Lancashire, Enfield, Haslingden, Lowerhouse, Nelson, Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall and Todmorden. On November 8th, 1890 Rishton were admitted to the League and one week later the first Officers were appointed – see page 158 . The only other movements of clubs since are: February 14th, 1891 Todmordenwithdrew. August 1892 Bury were admitted as members and they played for two Seasons 1893 and 1894 before withdrawing 1897 Todmordenwere re- admitted. THE LANCASHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE was formed on March 16th, 1892 by a meeting of the previous League when it registered its name and purchased the Championship Trophy from the Lancashire Amateur Cricket Association for £35. The League Centenarywas celebrated in 1992. In 1981 the League’s title was amended to include the name of its sponsors, Blackburn-based brewersMatthewBrown sponsoring the League until 1990. The Marsden Building Society, based in Nelson, took over in 1991 with an initial three year agreement. This was extended for a further three years. The deal with E.W. Cartons Ltd of Rishton commenced in 1997 and ended at the end of 1999. Transco took over from the 1st January 2000 on a 3 year deal which ended at the end of 2002. At the commencement of the 2004 seasonMusbury Fabrics who are based at Helmshore became the new sponsors of the League for 2 years. The sponsors of the League from 2006 to 2008 were SponsorBank. From 2009 on a 3 year deal Thwaites Original are the new sponsors. From the 2011 season Thwaites requested that the League name be altered to ThwaitesWainwright. In the League’s first 8 years it was permissible for each team to field up to two professionals. A resolution restricting the clubs to playing only one professional was passed in March 1899 and came into force for the 1900 Season. “Time’’ cricket was played until 1970 when a 2 year experiment with “Overs’’cricket was undertaken. The League restored time cricket 1973-74 but Lancashire Cricket League