Chairman's Report - 2004

John Hutchinson (March 2005)

Despite having stepped down as Chairman of the Bolton League junior Section at the end of the 2003 season, I have agreed to continue writing the junior Report for the handbook for the next few years, so here goes ...

In many ways, the 2004 season at junior level was dominated by the various goings-on off the field rather than by performances on it. In particular, it was the first year of the 'opt-our clause applying to junior cricket (for one age group per club only), and several clubs took advantage of this new regulation to relieve the pressure on them to supply teams at all age levels.

Secondly, the League and its member clubs began to come to terms with the new Child Protection regulations and procedures introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board. With the help of the Lancashire Cricket Board, individual clubs were advised by me, as the League's Child Welfare Officer, and by Mike Buckley (Assistant C.W.O.) on the various obligations which they were required to meet during 2004. Whilst in many ways progress has been slow, I am pleased to report that most of our member clubs are now well on the way to complying with the E.C.B's requirements, and I am convinced that the Bolton Cricket League is well in advance of most other leagues in the North of England as regards the promotion of child welfare.

2004 also saw the first award of the E.C.B. 'Clubmark` designation to a Bolton League club. Congratulations must go to Little Lever CC on this fine achievement, but it remains disappointing that other clubs (arguably equally deserving) have not been considered for this award.

Each of the League's inter-league teams performed with credit during 2004, culminating in a fine repeat of 2003's Under-13 Final win against the Bolton Association at Westhoughton CC. Congratulations to all those players who represented the League at all age-levels, and to coaches and team managers such as Michael Fletcher, Richard Dearden, John Roberts and Jack Ashton, without whose voluntary efforts none of the above would have been possible.

The 2004 season domestically was dominated by the achievements of two clubs, Bradshaw and Farnworth Social Circle. Bradshaw completed a fine League and Cup double at Under-18 level (the League Trophy being shared with Horwich CC), whilst Farnworth S.C. went one better, completing a 'double double' at Under-15 and Under-13 levels. Many congratulations to both clubs, and indeed to all the other teams and players talented enough to win trophies and individual awards during the season.

In particular I should highlight the achievement of Greenmount's Simon Woolford, whose consistent batting performances at county, 2nd XI and Under-18 levels earned him the title Young Player of the Year for 2004. It is pleasing to see some success come to Brandlesholme Road, as Greenmount have been rather in the doldrums at junior level for the last few years. We should not forget that some of the finest junior players to represent the Bolton League (Phil Neville, Bobby Horrocks, Andy Bowker and Robbie Edmundson, to name but four) have come from our neighbours in Bury, and hopefully, so will many more in the future.

Greenmount also emerged as victors in the Reuben Mather Trophy Final, defeating a strong Bradshaw side on the last ball of the game. For 2005, the Under-18's League Competition reverts to a full league programme, all fixtures to be played over two evenings. This means that the Reuben Mather competition will not be able to take place in its present format, due to the obvious time constraints involved. League officials are hoping to retain the Reuben Mather Trophy in another guise, thereby enabling Reuben's name to remain synonymous with the League and with the game he did so much to support. Let us hope for the best.

Have a good season.