Rochdale Midweek Cricket League - 55 Glorious Years 1949 to 2004

The Rochdale Midweek Cricket League has come to an end after 55 glorious years. The last game was played in September 2004, however, after a year off it was hoped the league could resume again this season, but it was not to be and following a recent celebration, as a final coming together, Rochdale Online interviewed John Murray, final League Chairman and long term umpire.

The league started in 1949 when Harry Butterworth presented a trophy to someone high up in Whittles bakery. Whereupon he decided it would be good to have a midweek cricket league in Rochdale.

The midweek league was aimed at the more occasional cricketer having a game with less seriousness and focused as much on the social side with a few drinks afterwards.

The league was a mixture of different works teams, some churches, pubs and working mans clubs. The first winners of the Whittle trophy was Whipp amp; Bourne.

In 1951 and 1952 Littlewoods were to present the Whittle's Trophy to their own winning team! Other winners included Bright's in 1957 and Milton Congregationalists from 1961 to 1964, The Social Union in 1976, Tanners Tavern’s in 1980, Royal Oak from Littleborough in 1988 and 1989, and Rochdale Gas in 1992 and 1993.

In more recent times the league has been won by Rochdale Catholic Club, Peelers Team from Bury and Unison the trades union.

The servants of the league have included the original and long serving chairman, Harry Brierley. Harry donated the trophy for the Harry Brierley Cup. Following Harry,  Brian Kilburn, who has now sadly passed away, took over for 20 years and did a superb job.

Recently John Murray has been the chairman for the last two years. Those two years have been very difficult years and sadly the circumstances have brought about the end of 50 glorious years of the midweek cricket league. A lack of properly maintained cricket pitches, the cost of insurance and problems with insurance claims, etc. have all made the decision to end inevitable.

The League Treasurer, Cyril Whittle, goes back before 1960, and in more recent times became the League Secretary as well.

Other long serving people include Terry McGuigan and Harold Crowther - both very hard working men.

Umpires secretary Eric Tootle was a distinguished local umpire and did the job for about 30 years, he was a very well respected man.

For the past 10 years Peter Ahmel has been umpire secretary.

Others who have given distinguished service to the midweek cricket league include: Bob Chadwick, Fred Goodhand, Dave Goodacre, Kenny Lord, Dave Ousey, Brian Pitts, Jeff Lyvsey and Garry Stockton.

Famous names that have played in midweek cricket and then gone on to greater things include Dexter Fitton, who went on to Lancashire to play professionally. Also Mike Witney who played for Royal Oak Whittle team and then played overseas as an amateur and went on to play for no other than Australia.

John Murray, long standing member of the League, talking of facing fearsome fast bowler Witney recalled: "I remember one dark night in the midst of September Mike Whitney bowled at me and I snipped it through a four man cover. Mike gave me an evil glare because he was a superb fast bowler and I had snipped it. Believe me I made sure I got out rather than face him again!"

Long serving club secretary’s that are worthy of a mention include Phil Wetly of the Catholic Club who served for about 40 years, Keith Wilson of Peelers, Neil Slater of High Crompton Cavaliers and Jason Croke of Blue Pits in Castleton.

Others involved at various times in the league that deserve to be remembered include: Margaret and Fran Kershaw who made refreshments, Terry Shaw the long time secretary and player of Unison, John Finnigan again long time secretary and player for Transport, Paul Huck long time player and secretary of Wishing Well, Heywood, Jim Hoyle who played for Peelers team of Bury for 30 years and Billy Sheerin of the Catholic Club. Billy is also the music and drama director for Saint Gabriel’s in Castleton and used friends in Rochdale Midweek Cricket to recruit men such as Mike Floyd, Tony Cragg and John Murray as men were always short in supply for his shows and pantomimes! 

The final match in the Midweek Cricket League took place on a cold September morning in 2004, the final of the Brierley Cup Competition - Pauline Journeaux, Managing Director of sponsors Rochdale Online presented the cup that day.

A farewell night at the Catholic Club on Thursday 18 May was attended by members past and present and John Murray presented mementoes and gave thanks, he said:

"I would really like to say on behalf of everyone our most greatful thanks to the very kind sponsors Pauline and Malcolm Journeaux of Rochdale Online and the guest of honour, the main man, Cyril Fletcher, secretary and treasurer, long serving more than 40 years, hard working, dependable, sincere, cheerful, lovable, like everyone’s favourite uncle, a truly fine gentleman, a magnificent president ."

Asked how he would sum up the Midweek Cricket League, John said:

"It will be very sadly missed, it was something that all the cricketers looked forward to - lads who loved a game of cricket and then off to the pub, that was what it was about, occasional cricketers enjoying sport and having something to look forward to on nice summer evenings."

Date article online: 19/05/2006