Fleetwood
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Fleetwood
CRICKET CLUB
F
leetwood CC was formed in 1891, was a founder member of
the Palace Shield Competition in 1902 and then spent two
seasons in the Ribblesdale League in 1950 and 1951 before becoming
founder members of the Northern League in 1952.
The ground leased from the Corporation in 1923
was then in open country but the surrounding area
was rapidly being built up. Broadwater staged several
Lancashire CCC Second XI fixtures between 1978 and
1998.
The club has been Northern League champions on five
occasions, in 1972, 1975, 1985, 2004 and 2012 and Division
Two champions outright nine times, also sharing the
title in 1985. Notable former club professionals include
Charlie Stayers, Bob Entwistle, Michael Whitney,
Franklyn Stephenson and Paul Harris. Chesney Hughes
amateur in 2009 went onto Derbyshire CCC’s and Ian
Holland currently plays at Hampshire.
Fleetwood has clearly put together a proud history
over the years and Cricket Club Magazine was keen to find
out how they have been getting along lately. With this in
mind we caught up with their Junior Chairman Jonathan
Amor.
He told us, “I’ve been involved with the club for 33
years; I came as a junior cricketer and made my 1st team
debut this year at aged 49! The most challenging part of
my role is arranging fixtures whilst the most rewarding
is seeing junior players move into senior cricket.”
“There is a positive outlook at the club at the moment
with lots to celebrate both on and off the pitch as well as
a young (ish) committee taking the club forward. It has
been a positive season from the 2nd team downwards
with the 1st team building for the future. Our U15s and
U18s won their leagues with the U19s winning the county
T20 Blast. The last week of the season saw our 3s secure
promotion (back to back promotions) and a presentation
evening.
“Youth cricket is essential for us; we have 174 juniors
from aged 3 to our under 19s, junior cricket plays a
massive part in our five year plan and most of our
strategic planning is based around junior involvement.
This year’s summer camp was run by four of our ex-
juniors with over 100 attendees.
“To help players make the transition into the senior
game the coach will make tsure that the player is both
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mentally and physically capable, parents are involved
and we also work on a buddy up system to ensure the
junior is not left in isolation.
“Our biggest challenge moving forward will be
finding space to play as our junior teams evolve. Our
ambitions include increasing the number of junior teams,
retaining senior players, new scoreboard and improving
our changing room facilities.”