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Updated on 03 January 2012
Memories are made of this !!! (just send me an e-mail, and I'll do the rest)
An extract from a programme on Saturday 22 April, 1989
St Pauls (Southport) was the venue for the opening 2nd XI game of the 1989 cricket season. The weather was very dull and rain was imminent. However, play commenced at 2.00 pm, and Skem batted wth skipper Pye losing the toss (as usual). The opening pair (Skems Little and Large duo) of Forster and Fenney proceeded to the wicket. Fenney sporting a tan due to a winter vacation in the sun, and Forster looking more like Baldrick than ever. The game began and Skems batsmen soon realised that the wicket was going to be unpredictable. Sadly Forster was out early, being caught at first slip, somewhere around the fielders navel. I can only assume that the ball attached itself to this area because the fielder hands were nowhere near. Next in was Bill Regan, and he began in his usual nonchalent style, hitting his first ball through mid wicket for 2 runs. At the other end, bronze adonis Fenney, completely missed the ball and was bowled leg stump - perhaps he was still suffering from jet lag. The score was now 7 for 2. Next man in was Joe Yates, whose ony comment on arriving was that he had forgotten his jock strap. After some lusty blows trying to get the ball off the square (it was a large square) Regan was brilliantly caught close in. 14 for 3 wickets. Enter the arena Kenny Graham, newly returned to the club from Bootle. Ken, after a shaky start soon wove his Irish luck on to the St Pauls fielders as they managed to drop every ball Ken played to them. In the meantime, Joe Yates who was totally frustrated, and probably cold down below because of his missing jock strap, launched into the ball and was caught going for the big hit. Enter the athlete that is David Holcroft, alias 'Harry H', slim from his Winter drying-out diet. Harry hit the first (or should I say wellied) ball high to the St Pauls captain who, combed his hair, repaired his makeup, posed a little, and then dropped the ball...... Harry and Ken then got on top (not literally) and with some delightful shots and lusty blows the score was pushed to 64 for 4. Unfortunately, it was at this point that the rain arrived and forced a premature end to the game. The players retired to the changing room, totally wet through, freezing cold, and hoping for hot bath. ....................................................................................................
An interview with Alan Forster:
Alan , along with his father John, younger brother John, and son Michael have given many years sterling service to Skelmersdale Cricket Club, both as players and adminstrators. Alan played for the Club for over 35 years. In his early years 'Father John' and Harry Welding encouraged him to play in the right manner - hard but fair. Alan remembers also spending many enjoyable hours on the Clubs three tennis courts. In his early years he tells of getting the right encouragement from Harry Welding and club captain, Roy Allerton, who he describes as "competitive in every aspect of the game. Another team-mate who Alan holds in high esteem is John Bell. Alan says, "Belly was extremely competitive as a bowler, fielder, and batsman - a typical Yorkshireman". The highlight of Alans career was winning the League Division One and Sandhurst Shield in the same year. When asked, who was the best player that he played against, Alan has no hesitation, "definately Sonny Ramadhin of Little Lever, who at his prime was probably the best spin bowler in the world", Finally, I asked Alan to pick his 'All-time' best Skelmersdale XI, and after due consideration replied - " 1) Harry Welding; 2) Les Birchall w/k; 3) Albert Lawrence; 4) John Bell; 5) Alan Pheasant; 6) Harold Nelson; 7) Alan Yates; 8) Dave Terry; 9) Brian Finnegan; 10) Tony Manley; 11) Roy Allerton; and 12) Jim Proctor.
Thanks to Alan for taking the time... ....................................................................................................................................
Did you know ???? (Taken from a 1989 match programme)....that Alan Pheasant was a Lancashire Pole Vault Champion in his younger days. ..................................................................................................................... In the late 50's/early 60's we had a portly player, Dave Chappell, in the slips. In one game a snicked ball flew past his outstretched hand. Dave didn't make a move, as he thought it was going for a certain four. Unfortunately, our undulating ground at School Lane rose in front of the scoreboard, and the ball stopped short of the boundary. The opposition ran 8 runs before Dave realised, and had to retrieve the ball from just short of the boundary. ..................................................................................................................... Kenny Hodge went for a 'caught and bowled' in one game, with an athletic dive for the ball. It proved to be dangerous in more ways than one, as Kenny had a box of matches in his pocket, which sparked off when he hit the ground. He was seen running round the pitch with a plume of smoke coming out of his pocket. ..................................................................................................................... Some memories from Alan Forster courtesy of his 1891-1991 Centenary Book: Playing in my 1st Sandhurst Shield Final against Eccleston, whose team included Harry Norris; Keith Miller; Derek Iddon; and Rodney Crawshaw. In their prime all great cricketers, from whom I learned the art of playing cricket. ie Play to win in a fair and sporting manner. ............................................................ Jim Spencer managing something that as far as I am aware, nobody else has achieved - bowling six wides in an over. It was at Bretherton, which as many people know isn't the largest of grounds. Jim came in to bowl, slipped at the crease, out popped the ball and disappeared over the sighscreen. He was duly credited with 6 wides. ............................................................ Alan Pheasant got a full-blooded throw on the top of his head on the same ground. It knocked him out cold, and somebody shouted to go and get a brandy from the pub opposite. It was about to be sent out to the middle, but it never reached Pheasy - Jim Spencer was next man in, and so upset by the incident, that he responded by hijacking the 'spirit' and downing it himself. ............................................................ In a match against Little Lever in the Lancashire Knockout, Sonny Ramadhin was their 'pro'. This spin-bowler was likened to catching a fish with your bare hands. When the ball was bowled it did numerous things in the air and on the pitch. Opener, Harold Nelson played and missed twice before being bowled. Pheasy managed a lucky hit to the boundary, before being bamboozled, by the spin of the Master. ..............................................................
E-mail from kevin Panther:
One bit of info, the first wicket to be taken at the new ground was a run out by Nev Faza against Norley Hall, and the first bowlers dismissal was Panther clean bowled Norley batsman. Just thought Id get that in !!. ..................................................................................................................... And another from Kevin Panther:
Tarleton 3rds v Skem 3rds
Skem 3rds .....14 all out. The great Harry
Woosey doing the damage for Tarleton 3rds;
just joined from Hesketh Bank 1st team.
Tarleton 3rds.... 15 for 9. A young
Pakistani lad called Iqubal did the damage,
he could turn the ball a yard - the batsmen
didnt have a clue. Neither did Iqubal, he
just let it go.
Whilst having tea, the Tarleton 1st eleven
turned up having dismissed Blowick Red Triangle
for 0 yes NONE and scored!!!! the winning runs of
a first ball wide !!
Happy days !
.....................................................................................................................
And another from Mr Panther: GREAT MATCHES
It was back in 1980 and Skem 3rds (5th Division)
had been drawn away to Blackrod 2nds (2nd
Division), victors over the Skem Second XI
weeks earlier - an absolute banker for the
home side.
The team travelled up on a fairly damp and
drizzly Sunday afternoon, lambs to the slaughter.
If the game couldnt be finished on the day,
the long trek would have to be taken again
on a Tuesday night. Thats what influenced
the Blackrod captain as he won the toss and
chose to bat. Morgan, Speakman and Panther
kept the runs to a minimum and Anderton claimed
6, to restrict the home side to a mere 108
all out, Incredible stuff. Skem quickly lost
wickets in reply but a steady knock by Alan Foster
kept the outsiders in with a chance before
bad light called a halt with 20 overs to
go and Skem still needing 50 with 5 wickets
in hand.
The long trek was again made on a damp Tuesday
night and Skem set about their task with
vigour. A young Steve Maddocks reached double
figures as did MoM Anderton who batted
bravely on until just 13 was needed, leaving
the last pair of Panther and Peat to try
to gain an almost impossible victory. With
2 overs to go Panther twice had to refuse
runs but managed to smash a four and scamper
a single off the last ball. Panther again
cracked a four to leave them chasing just
4 runs to win with 5 balls remaining. There
was to be no singles -Panther heaved............and
missed and was clean bowled. Game over..falling
just 4 runs short of an improbable win.
The players congregated in the bar and sank
many a beer, lead along in a sing-song by
Mr Peat. No one knows what time we left....it
was late. A Blackrod official commented as
we were leaving "God knows what you
would have been like if you had won !!!!
A great game and not quite the great result.
.....................................................................................................................
Famous quote, submitted by Bryn Jones...... Roy Allerton, when commenting on the fact that Sergeant Nuttall once allegedly hit the Town Hall with a six, stated "It must have been true because Fred Ackary was there, and brought the ball back" !!! ...................................................................................................................................................
Bits and Bobs from some Matchday Programmes produced in 1989; Player Profile - Peter Blakey "Lowest moment" - Getting four teeth knocked out from a bouncer at Winton in 1987. Player Profile - Mally Moss "Lowest moment" - Realising that I was no longer a teenager. Player Profile - Gerard Peet "Likes" - Drinking" "Dislikes" Monday mornings ed. You're kidding...... Player Profile - John Edwin Bell - "Sportsman Most Want to Meet" - Eddie the Eagle Edwards
Club Pro, Harry Bamburger has passed with distinction the Institute of Mowing and Grass Mulching examination. Harry will receive their highest award - 'The Golden Grass Box.' ....................................................................................................................................................... From Harry Holcroft: When I first joined the club, I started in the 3rd XI. In my second game, Tommy Holland went out to field. He had a white shirt (with a tie) and black socks. What a sight... ....................................................................................................................................................... From Jimmy Nelson: In my first season in 1956, we used to go to away games in Jimmy Birch's furniture truck. I am sure that Jimmy didn't know that we had borrowed it. ....................................................................................................................................................... From a 1971 Juniors scorebook: Chasing YMCA's 125 for 4 wicket, here is the Skem Juniors reply.... A Briscoe 0; G Lowe 0; C Meadows 0; T Birch 0; D Swift 0; I Hunter 0; A Manley 0; G Peet 0; B Glover 0; I McNichol 0 not out; I Benson 0; Extras 9. TOTAL: 9 runs in 4.3 overs ........................................................................................................................................................ In August 1968, Skelmersdale Cricket Club challenged Skelmersdale United's Amateur Cup Final team. Our cricket team got 143 all out, whilst the football team were 110 all out. The football team was: Wally Bennett; John Bond; Micky Burns; Micky Worswick; Jim Nelson; John Unsworth; Peter Scott; Bob Scott; Terry Crosbie; Richie Wade; and Walter Giller. ........................................................................................................................................................ Taken from a Match Programme.... Who was the first Skelmersdale player to play for 2 teams, in separate games, on the same day ?? Answer: Mick Vella, who was 3rd team captain playing on Blaguegate, when he got the call to return to School Lane to play for the 2nds against Crossens. The ageing Kenny Graham had pulled a muscle in BOTH legs, whilst playing for the 2nds, and was unable to carry on. ..........................................................................................................................
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