Sponsors Message
A new season is nearly upon us and we at Anthony Axford (Timber Merchants) Limited are proud to continue our sponsorship of The Bolton Cricket League and our support of Bolton Cricket generally.
Once again the season produced magnificent cricket, competitively played
despite the best efforts of inclement weather Farnworth Social Circle emerged as
League Champions. This was particularly heartening as so many of the players
came through the junior ranks at that club. The Hamer Cup was a protracted
affair eventually deservedly won by Kearsley. There is little doubt that these
two sides will be looking to continue their success in 2010.
One of the great areas of improvements in the league is the progress being made
in junior cricket. The standard seems to increase year on year and we are still
able to attract many others to training and coaching initiatives. This is to the
credit of the many number of ECB qualified coaches and their assistants who give
their time freely. We are all grateful of their support to the continuity of the
game.
No cricket match can function properly without the men and women in white
coats. Once again the umpires union provided balance and good judgment to the
cricket played and I’m sure all players and spectators recognise their
contribution to the game.
We are also grateful to the support given by volunteers, It doesn’t matter
where this shows. The tea ladies provide us with sustenance until beer takes
over. We all have scorers and tin lads, groundsmen and chauffeurs who ensure
that games get the best of attention from early afternoon till the close. All
these people can be proud of their association with this league and we stay
grateful to them, Thanks to them all.
The off season produced some changes at League committee level. Derek Kay
resigned as chairman at the 2009 AGM and it would be remiss of me not to thank
him here for his significant contribution. Co opted members Mike Hall, Tony
Hayes and David Morris also stepped down. Over 100 years of service to local
cricket stepped to the back benches there, however life is change and the mantle
has been passed to Warwick Mime. I am sure The League remains in good hands
there. Thanks also to Peter Stafford who has stood down from writing this
Handbook and acting as Press Officer.
I am writing this in early March and it looks as though we have finally said
goodbye to a challenging winter. Soon groundsmen and committee members will be
working on their various pitches and hopefully we will be blessed with summer of
generous sunshine.
Good luck to everybody in 2010.
Martin J. Axford
Director
Anthony Axford (Timber Merchants) Ltd.