Skelmersdale Cricket Club

Updated on 2 August 2010

And on to the continuing history of Skelmersdale Cricket Club. After several years in the planning stage, details were finalised, passed, and the groundwork machinery and builders moved onto our new land. We contacted a local school to ask for suggestions for the name of the new ground, and the name chosen was

'Firswood Park'

In June 2002, our new 'Firswood Park' ground

was ready and officially opened by

Councillor Val Hopley and Peter Lever,

with Life-President, John F Forster ..

Peter Lever and Councillor Val Hopley,

with Club officials, at the official opening of

Skelmersdale Cricket Club,

at the newly-named Firswood Park.

A Skelmersdale XI and Southport & District Representative XI

prepare for the match that officially opens Skelmersdale's new ground.

Skelmerdale team: Phil Wright; Andy Donnelly; Jonas Smith; Chris Killorn; Andy Molyneux; Phil Ashcroft;

Peter Blakey; Joe Till; Gary Jones; Tony Manley; Neil Penketh.

Southport Rep team: S Harrison; J Bowden; S Green; A Morgan; K Burton; L Ashton; S Williams; S Moulton;

D Fairclough; J Dalrymple; D Tully.

Umpires: Gordon Leather and Jim Briscoe.

Above is an aerial view of Firswood Park

courtesy of Google

The square comprises 16 wickets, an 'all-weather' wicket, and a 'practice strip.

Skelmersdale Ladies Organising Committee in 2002..

Back Row: Joyce Pheasant; Anne Holcroft; Enid Farrington; Jean Forster; Janet Molyneux; Tracy Joel-Welsh;

Christine Glover.

Front Row: Margaret Davies; Annette Regan.

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In 2003, in The Alliance, we finished mid table, but regrettably in 2004, we were relegated to Division 2

However, in 2005 we were again Champions and promoted back to Division 1. And after finishing fifth in 2006, we gained promotion to The Liverpool & District Cricket Competition in 2007, when qualifying as Runners-Up. We were now to play in the same company as well-established teams such as Liverpool, Huyton, and Sefton Park.

Back Row: Chris Hudson; Phil Wright; Andy Molyneux; Joe Till; Phil Armstrong; Matt Fenney; Peter Atherton; Tom Holland (Chairman)

Front Row: Peter Blakey; Brent Badke; Andy Donnelly; Tony Manley; Jonas Smith

In 2003, Skelmersdale 2nd XI were going for a hat-trick of victories in The Pochin Cup, but were to be defeated by Southport Trinity in a game played at Burscough.

Back Row: John Littleton; Dave Farrell (injured); Ronnie Taylor (physio); Kevin Panther; Paul Bennett;

Barry Leadbetter; Gary Bell; Michael Moss.

Front Row: Neville Weatherhead-Faza; Lee Williams; Steve Maddocks; Michael Forster; Steve Griffiths;

Dave Moss.

Skelmersdale Cricket Club 2nd XI in 2006...

Back Row: Mark Syers; Ben Maddocks; Jon Hudson; Chris Hudson; Dave Farrell; Lee Williams; Jordan Maddocks (scorer)

Front Row: Danny Maddocks; Peter Wylie; Steve Maddocks; Tony Manley; Adam Manley

The Pochin Cup was won for a record fifteenth time in 2007.

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In recent years we have taken the opportunity to enlist the services of an overseas professional to play and coach for us. They include:-

Brett Milini from Australia

Chris Killorn from Australia

Danni Liversage from South Africa

Jason Templeton from Australia

Adam Mortimer from Australia

Brent Badke from Australia

Hemel Watekar from India

Our Australian professional, Brent Badke

powers in for a well-deserved wicket..

Above, our Indian professional, Hemel Watekar

despatches another ball for six !!!!

The photograph below shows Skelmersdale 1st XI at the start of the 2007 season, in which we were to achieve promotion from the Merseyside & Southport Cricket Alliance and into The Liverpool & District Cricket Competition..

Back Row: Hemel Watekar; Phil Wright; Jonas Smith; Joe Till; Matt Fenney; Kyle Till

Front Row: Andy Donnelly; Chris Hudson; Phil Armstrong; Mitch Clarke; Tom Jones.

In 2007, our First XI came Runners-Up in the Merseyside & Southport Cricket Alliance, and in doing so gained promotion to The Liverpool & District Cricket Competition, with a final day win at Birkenhead St Mary's.

Back Row: Tom Jones; Tony Manley; Barry Leadbetter; Phil Wright; Jonas Smith; Kyle Till; Joe Till

Front Row: Andy Donnelly; Peter Blakey; Phil Armstrong; Mike Moss; Luke Manley (scorer)

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Skelmersdale 3rd XI was coming to prominence. We had been Division 5 Winners in 1985 and 1996, before being Division 4 Winners in 2005.

It was better on the cup front with wins in The Leyland Trophy in 1997 and 2005, and in The Hampson Cup in 2008 and 2009.

Below is Skelmersdale CC 3rd XI in 2006

Below: Captain, Carl Welsh receives The Hampson Cup in 2008

And below, Skelmersdale 3rd XI are Hampson Cup Winners for the second successive season in 2009

(Sadly, Prescot & Odyssey ended our attempt at a hat-trick of wins, in June 2010)

Back Row: Peter Blakey; Danny Maddocks; Ian Morris; Peter Driscoll; Steve Griffiths; Gary Cassidy; Andy Donnelly.

(2 hidden players are Jon Hudson and Peter Davies.)

Front Row: Louis Clarke (scorer); Ryan Hare; Andrew Griffiths

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Skelmersdale Cricket Club achieved it's ECB ClubMark accreditation in 2005, and in doing so highlights that we have adopted 'The ECB Safe Hands Policy' - cricket's policy for safeguarding children. Skelmersdale Cricket Club is committed to improvement and development at all levels and abilities, by supporting our younger players through the best possible coaching, training and competition to unlock potential. Furthermore, it will enable all members to enjoy regular cricket in a safe and friendly environment.

We have two NSPCC-trained Child Welfare Officers.

We are a Lancashire Cricket Board Focus Club.

Below, Paul Bryson (CDO for Merseyside & West Lancashire) of the Lancashire Cricket Board presents our ClubMark Accreditation certificate to Bill Regan.

Skelmersdale currently runs four senior teams, together with Juniors at Under 18's; 15's; 13's; 11's; and 9's. We also have a Head coach and a team of qualified coaches and assistants supporting them. We can also call on the services of a Lancashire CB Community Coach.

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In August 2007, our Juniors were invited down to a packed Lancashire Old Trafford ground to play Kwik-Cricket during the lunchtime interval, in the match between England and Pakistan.

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Below, a large crowd at 'Firswood Park' for The Liverpool Echo Knockout Cup Final, versus Premier-side Ormskirk, in our inaugral season in The Liverpool & District Cricket Competition..

And the presentation by the Managing Director of The Liverpool Dail Post & Echo

In 2007, we were delighted to enter into a partnership with Scott Rees & Company, solicitors in Skelmersdale, who agreed a 2-year contract to be our Main Club Sponsors. Scott Rees & Co are specialists in personal injury compensation claims, conveyancing, debt recovery, and wills and probate. Scott Rees have agreed to extend their sponsorship for a third season in 2010.

Below, Senior Partners from Scott Rees & Co. complete the deal with Alan Pheasant (President), Tom Holland (Chairman), and Carl Welsh (Vice-Chairman) watched by junior player Connor Joel-Welsh.

The future of the Club has been secured by sound management, which has never spent beyond its means. The foundation of a well-run club has been laid over the last 100+ years, and will continue to thrive with the same ethics.

Below is Skelmersdale CC 1st XI in 2008,

playing in the Liverpool & District Cricket Competition, Division 1.

for the first time

Back Row: Peter Blakey; Adam Manley; Joe Till; Andy Molyneux; Michael Till; Mitchell Clarke; Andy Donnelly

Front Row: Matt Fenney; Hemel Watekar (pro); Phil Armstrong; Jonas Smith

Just prior to each season our Club participates in the NatWest Cricket Force initiative. Players and officials meet at the ground to get involved with a pre-determined project over a weekend in early April.

Below, 'SkemForce' meet to prepare a new overspill car-park area.

In July 2009, South Lathom Residents Association

presented a new bench to the Club.

On 7 July 2009, Skelmersdale Cricket Club were delighted and proud to host a County second-eleven trophy match. The match was between Lancashire 2nds and Worcestershire 2nds. The game was due to be 50-overs per side, but the English weather intervened. The game, played with a white ball and black sightscreens, eventually started at around 3.30 pm, and was reduced to 26-overs per side. However, there were no further interruptions, and Worcestershire on their day, ran out comfortable winners.

The attendance was around 130, and we could have expected a lot more if the weather had been kinder. That is cricket and English summers for you, I suppose!!!!

The game starts at 3.30 pm, much to the delight of the patient crowd.

Lancashire's opening batsmen

make their way to the wicket,

for the start of their match with

Worcestershire 2nd XI.

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On Monday 2 November 2009, we were invited to attend Edge Hill University for The Ormskirk Advertiser Sports Awards. We were in the company of the finest sportspersons in West Lancashire. We were delighted, therefore, to be presented with two awards on the evening:

Skelmersdale Cricket Club Under 15's - Junior Team of The Year for 2009.

Carl Welsh (Skelmersdale CC and West Lancashire) - Coach of The Year for 2009.

Skelmersdale 1st XI at start of 2010 season..

Back Row: Jonas Smith; James Cutt; Jack Snowdon; Greg Wadsworth; Mohammed Zahid; Mark Adams;

Jack Maddocks (scorer)

Front Row: Barry Leadbetter; Andrew Griffiths; Andy Molyneux; Mitch Clarke; Ben Maddocks.

Skelmersdale 2nd XI in Quarter-Final of Chester Cup versus Sefton Park - 2010

Back Row: Adam Manley; Barry Leadbetter; Peter Driscoll; Matt Fenney; Michael Moss; Kyle Till

Front Row: Luke Manley; Steve Maddocks; Lee Williams; Mike Houghton; James Edgar

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And below is the victorious Skelmersdale Sunday Development XI in the

2010 Beardsley Cup Final win over Sutton (St Helens).

Back Row: Fran Flynn; Michael Moss; Andrew Moss; Andrew Gamble; Jordan Maddocks; Andrew Griffiths;

Luke Manley; Stephen Rimmer; Matthew Wright

Front row: Mikey Moss (mascot); David Moss; Ben Maddocks (Capt); James Edgar

Press the 'History 1' button to return to

our early history at School Lane..

This website has been compiled by Derek Lowe, with considerable help from John and Alan Forster, who provided most of the information and photographs.

It is an ongoing project, and your help in providing further information, would be gratefully received.

We need: Old photographs with team names if possible (I will scan and return)

Old scorebooks to extract various batting/bowling records.

E-mail me your memories of Skelmersdale Cricket Club.

Any other relevant information from our friends and rivals at other

Clubs that we have played.

Thanks