Lancashire League Handbook 2021

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 177 . The only other movements of clubs since are: February 14th, 1891Todmorden withdrew. August 1892 Bury were admitted as members and they played for two Seasons 1893 and 1894 before withdrawing 1897 Todmorden were 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 Centenary was celebrated in 1992. In 1981 the League’s title was amended to include the name of its sponsors, Blackburn-based brewers Matthew Brown 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 season Musbury 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 Thwaites Wainwright. 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