THE cricket season just started marks the 50th anniversary of the Cheshire County Cricket League – and the league has published a lavishly illustrated book to celebrate the occasion.
Written by Geoff Wellsteed, life-long cricket lover, former player and former umpire, it tells the story of how the league was founded and how it has grown to become one of the most respected county leagues in the country.
Warrington was a founder member of the league and Grappenhall joined in 1993.
Geoff has written four previous books – all on cricket – including “Pavilions in Splendour” – the cricket pavilions and grounds of Cheshire.
Former Lancashire and England star Paul Allott has written a foreword for the 144-page book which he describes as “hugely well researched and a lovingly crafted history.”
Geoff himself says it is not a history book in the classical sense, but “merely a good number of historical facts, scores, statistics, anecdotes and reminiscences.”
He should not have used the word “merely” because the book represents a huge amount of time-consuming research, a knowledge of cricket and, of course, a love of the game.
The 12 clubs who competed in the first season, 1975, were taking a bold step. Most of them had resigned from the long-established Manchester Association to join a new league with no assurance that it would survive.
Warrington was one of the 12 – and drew its first game scoring 125 all out against Brooklands, who replied with 70-9.
Inaugural league winners were Alderley Edge. Among those playing regularly in the league was an 18-year-old Paul Allott, of Bowdon, later to play for Lancashire and England.
An interesting feature of the book is a list of CCCL players who have played Test or International Cricket. These include Wasim Akram (Grappenhall and Pakistan), John Crawley (Warrington and England) and Neil Fairbrother (Grappenhall and England),
In addition there is a list of players who have played First Class cricket, including Mark Crawley (Warrington, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Oxford University), Richard Green (Grappenhall and Lancashire), Duncan Martindale (Warrington and Nottinghamshire), Steve Titchard (Grappenhall and Lancashire and Derbyshire).
While, inevitably, 1st XI cricket occupies much of the book, the author has not neglected lower levels of the game, nor women’s cricket. It is a wonderful read for anyone interested in Cheshire cricket.
Cover price is £15 but it can be obtained directly from the author for £10, including postage, by emailing [email protected]
