The Bolton Cricket League AGM.  13^th December 2010.

Once again I find myself with the responsibility of a speech on behalf of The League. I think this is now comfortably in double figures for the year so my first point must be to apologise in advance for any repetition!

This AGM is my debut as chairman and I am both pleased to have this first year of service under my belt. It has been involving and time consuming, however the passion for cricket generally and Bolton cricket specifically remains high. You may have to put up with me a little longer yet!

The League has enjoyed a high profile season and with good reason. The peculiarities and foibles of our cricket are matched by its intensity and competitive spirit. There can be few leagues that operate within such a small geographical area and produce cricket at all standards as we do.

We all know the achievements of the 2010 season, but there is no good reason to not bang the drum one final time. Farnworth – winners of The Lancashire Knockout - Heaton U15’s and U13’s Lancashire champions – and finally Horwich U11’s also Lancashire champions. To those clubs, their coaches and managers, we offer our congratulations. It is doubtful that any league has dominated proceedings so comprehensively ever. We have set the bar high here, but let there be no doubt that this hotbed of cricket will be looking to dominate again. Time will tell!

At first team level the standard of play is enjoying resurgence. We saw very few ‘mismatches’ and even the sides that found themselves on the wrong side of half way gave good accounts of themselves on Saturday afternoons. The season went till late in the afternoon of the final round when Farnworth finally came through. At 1.00 the previous Saturday there were six contenders for the trophy. This was a true grandstand finish with the title going to Bridgeman Park. Congratulations to Farnworth.

Second team cricket also appears to be enjoying a renaissance. We still have a hefty weighting to these matches being played by junior cricketers and I hope that time will allow us to develop a more mature influence. That having been said the talent of the younger players is benefitting the standard at this level. I do hope clubs see fit to make sure that first team places and reasonable opportunities are available to the youngsters. They are, after all the future of the game. Let them through I say!

One word suffices for our junior network. Superb! It is fantastic to see the back up teams of coaches, Mums and Dads driving this area forward. Most clubs integrate with their communities at this level and expose youngsters to sport in a controlled and protected environment. It would be nice to see even greater support from central government for the work we do. If I may quote from Blackadder. ‘Hope springs eternal Baldrick’ I’m sure the good work will continue.

As usual no amateur sport is viable without the support of the backroom staff. To all the hard working club members I offer my sincere thanks to you for the work you do to protect this great game.

I have been guilty of forgetting the contribution of our umpiring brethren on one occasion this year. The lesson has been learnt and the wounds have now healed! There will be no such mistake this time! At the head of things I take great pleasure in commending Simon Rees as chairman for his calm and authoritative management of his team. Simon has undertaken his three years of duty and now retires to the backbenches. Karen Knott has undertaken the secretarial support with her usual ‘Kiwi’ diligence and I also commend her. I can now take this opportunity to thank our umpires as a unit. They are truly the 15^th club.

However, the secret is to keep progressing and to keep looking forward. We must keep in front of the pack. To do that demands dynamism and lightness of feet. The word ‘irritable’ does not relate to mood swings or tempers, it relates to response to change, response to change in environment or physical stimuli. We live in a world of rapid change and my only comment would be to say that we should look to make decisions quicker. Such is the manner of committees!

I don’t think I have missed any global respects so far. I must pay some individual thanks. I apologise for listing them but……………

Ray Taylor has acted as secretary to The League for over 20 years. This year he has had to deal with a relative novice and I thank him for his assistance generally and specifically in matters of protocol. Thanks Ray.

It is always a pleasure to talk ‘like old men’ with our President Peter Stafford. And I thank him for his support too. The grunted ‘correct’ from my right hand side is always well received by me Staff!

As a Chartered Accountant it is always a pleasure to have fellow member of ‘the bean counting’ fraternity on board and I am grateful for the contribution Chris Monks continues to make.

Mike Buckley has been a keen contributor to junior cricket for many years now too and I thank him for his leadership in this area, the very future of our game and our League. I’m not so sure about the curator of trophies bit though Buckers and you’ll have to wait for the handbook script for that one!

Amateur sport or even professional sport needs support. We in this league, and indeed our colleagues in the Association are truly fortunate to have the support of the Axford family. To Tony, Mike and Martin a heartfelt thank you.

Finally, I must ask us to remember our lost friends, those who have given to us and given in spades. There are some I know well and some less so. I am bound to pass our respect to two men who gave freely to this league over many years. To our friends Rod Sandiford and Bill Stephenson, we are the lesser for your passing and the greater for your contribution.

And as they say ‘that is that’ I look forward to working with you all top the betterment of the Bolton league and cricket generally in the future. Thanks to you all.

Warrick Milne

Chairman