Greenmount Cricket Club bar manager and club stalwart Dave Willetts has received some nice surprise recognition this week.
Dave was invited to Downing Street by local Tory MP – and former Greenmount player – James Daly, to attend a reception for Community Sports Champions.
Dave pictured at the gates to Downing Street
Dave has been a “one-club man” for more than 40 years and has devoted much time to assisting us through numerous applications for grants to help improve our facilities.
The event was hosted by Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Meanwhile, Mr Daly hosted a fascinating tour behind the scenes at the Houses of Parliament.
Congratulations to Dave on well-deserved acknowledgement for long-standing contribution to the Mount!
Big congratulations to Greenmount professional Jacques Snyman who has signed for Pretoria Capitals for remainder of the ongoing SA20 2024 competition.
It is just reward for the talented all-rounder who was in record-breaking form for the Mount in last summer’s Lancashire League campaign.
Everybody at the Log Cabin would like to wish Jacques good luck in his endeavours and look forward to him returning to the Mount in April for the 2024 Lancashire League season.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a business to be the main sponsor on our white club playing shirts which will be worn by all senior and junior teams as well as the 20/20 coloured playing shirts worn by our first eleven in the prestigious Lancashire League 20/20 competition, which the club won in 2023.
Additionally, we also have a number of opportunities to promote your business and support the club through additional advertisement board spaces that have been created around the ground over the winter, match ball sponsorship and sponsor lounge hire for gamedays during the 2024 season.
If you are interested in discussing the options available please contact Wesley Young on 07974 209688 or email him on wesley.young@agm-services.co.uk for further information.
Any sponsorship support would be greatly appreciated. There has been extensive investment in the club facilities over the last few years and for us to be able to continue with future improvements for all members we do need financial support.
We thank you in anticipation of any support your business can give.
It is with great sadness that Greenmount Cricket Club announce the death of former player, committee member and groundsman Gordon Horrocks.
Gordon, who was 89, passed away at home on Friday, December 22nd after a brave battle with cancer.
Always a well-loved and popular figure at the Log Cabin, Gordon’s family are steeped in Greenmount CC history as both he and his brother, Tony, were long-time club stalwarts and – Greenmount born and bred – he played a big part in helping raise the club to be one of the most respected teams in Lancashire cricket.
As well as tending his beloved Greenmount ground, Gordon also plied his trade for many years at fellow Lancashire League clubs Ramsbottom CC and Rawtenstall CC as well as overseeing the playing surface at Bury Football Club’s Gigg Lane ground.
Everyone associated with the Mount wish to send their thoughts and condolences to Gordon’s three sons, Carl, Mark and Peter and their families.
Gordon’s funeral will be held at East Lancashire Crematorium, Radcliffe at 12.30pm on Monday, January 8th, 2024. The cortege will leave from Greenmount Cricket Club.
Following the ceremony, family and friends are invited to share memories of Gordon back at the Log Cabin.
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club for their help and support throughout the past year.
A massive thank-you to all our sponsors for their generous financial backing which helps no end in helping the club continue to go forward.
Also, a big thank-you to all the staff, volunteers and board members for their work this year in keeping the Cabin looking good and functioning well despite all the building work that has been going on.
This summer the first team won the Lancashire League T20 competition, the third eleven won their league title while the Under-15s and Under-13s were also champions of their respective leagues.
The cricket fixtures are already out and we look forward to another competitive season next year.
The club have re-signed popular South African professional Jacques Snyman and we eagerly look forward to his return to the Mount in April.
Finally, I would like to wish all members, supporters and sponsors a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we hope to see you all at the Log Cabin over the festive period.
A new bespoke site specific twin bay non-turf cricket practice facility, designed by Dura Sport in conjunction with club members and the space available, was completed at the Log Cabin in recent weeks.
The existing traditional batting and bowling ends were ripped up and removed, as was the cage structure, with a 200mm excavation to form new deeper, stable foundation using specialist aggregates.
The ECB Approved DSi-pro Vision non-turf pitch system was installed throughout the full length of each lane, with DS Evograss surrounds providing a totally synthetic design footprint of 26m x 8m.
A heavy duty cage structure formed from 48mm / 4m high steelwork was erected and clad with DS 3mm thick HD netting. Batting curtains were installed to act as blinkers between lanes but also protect the netting from rabbits and wildlife.
Because of space constraints on site the cage structure was reduced in length, so large gates were fitted to the front of each lane to extend the cage and help to protect users from cross shots during practice. The gates are lockable which also helps to monitor and prevent unauthorised use.
The project was completed on time and within budget and is ready (weather permitting!) for the club’s first pre season outdoor net session during April 2024.“
Club cricket director John Stevens commented “These facilities really are top class and reflect the further investment we are making in improving and growing Greenmount Cricket Club as a great place for all our playing members to develop their cricket experience.
“Dura Sport have done an excellent job with the minimum of fuss and we are looking forward to training on a high quality surface.”
The club’s annual senior awards night was held in the newly-refurbished and improved Log Cabin on Saturday evening.
Club chairman Andy Skinner was on hand to present the recipients with their awards.
The event recalled great memories of a very positive season which saw the Mount win their first Lancashire League silverware with a memorable T20 trophy win.
There were scintillating record-breaking feats from professional Jacques Snyman including an unforgettable 269 against Accrington.
Evan Williams – fresh from a first winter in Australia – really kicked on, showing consistent high levels of performance with both bat and ball including a memorable T20 century against Todmorden while Callum Hunter once again returned the overall best bowling performance across the club.
It was pleasing to see so many junior players emerge throughout the season with both the 13s and 15s winning their respective leagues and the 15s reaching their cup final only to lose to an excellent Clitheroe team.
The third team comprised many of these young players and finished top of their division. Three of these lads were fortunate enough to represent England in the Indoor Cricket World Cup in October – congratulations to Ed Dickinson, Ed Wackrill and Rupert Hallows.
Dan Stevens also earned further recognition for the club in the past week as a winner in the ECB Young Coach of the Year annual awards.
Team awards
Third team batting prize – Ed Dickinson
Third team bowling prize – Noah Birtwistle
Third team player of the year – Ed Dickinson
Second team batting prize – Nigel Franklin
Second team bowling prize – Ed Dickinson
Second team player of the year – Kieran Edwards
First team batting prize – Evan Williams
First team bowling prize – Callum Hunter
First team player of the year – Evan Williams
Club awards
Cyril Butterworth Batting Award for most runs – Evan Williams
Bowling Award for Most wickets – Callum Hunter
Pauline Rigby Award for U-18 junior player of the year – Max Birtwistle
Malcolm Grime Award for U-13 junior player of the year – Rupert Hallows
Club Person of the Year Award for Outstanding Contribution – John Stevens
The club is saddened to report the passing of Pat Williams who died with her family by her side, following a short illness, on Monday, 23rd October.
Pat was influential in the running of Greenmount Cricket Club throughout the 1990s and 2000s when she acted in the capacity of club treasurer while her husband Kevan was chairman.
A life member of the club, she took great delight in watching both her sons Andrew and Philip play for the Mount from the juniors through to the first team.
Following her retirement, Pat enjoyed playing crown green bowls with Kevan at Nuttall Park and was often a friendly face in the crowd at first team games at the Log Cabin.
She will be sadly missed by all at Greenmount Cricket Club and the family wish to pass on thanks to those who have sent messages of support and say a big thank-you to the staff at Fairfield General Hospital for the excellent care she received.
A celebration of Pat’s life is to be held at the cricket club on Thursday, 9th November from 12 noon.
The record breaking 2023 junior cricket season was brought to an end with last Friday’s presentation evening.
A full house at the Log Cabin was host to a fitting celebration of the season.
The Under 13’s and Under 15’s were both presented with their Lancashire Junior League Championship trophies.
The following awards were presented by the coaching team and the evening’s sponsors:
Under 9’s Player of the year Josh Riley Under 11’s Player of the year James Herbert Under 13’s Batting award Ben Clarke Under 13’s Bowling award Ben Clarke Under 13’s Player of the year Freya Franklin Under 15’s Batting award Max Birtwistle Under 15’s Bowling award Ewan Malone Under 15’s Player of the year Jonty Whitehead
Cricket club chairman Andy Skinner was on hand to present the club’s two prestigious awards. The evenings compère John Stevens explained to the attentive crowd that the Malcolm Grime award and the Pauline Rigby award were given to the player for a blend of exceptional performance and also making an outstanding contribution to the club as a role model.
The Malcolm Grime award – Rupert Hallows
The Pauline Rigby award – Max Birtwistle
The evening was finished off with a serving of Chris Harrison’s food and Greenmount Ice Creams Bubblegum flavoured specials.
The DJ then filled the dance floor but when asked to join in the Chairman ended the season with the words that greeted the players in April “no chance!”
The Malcolm Grime Award winner Rupert HallowsThe Pauline Rigby Award winner Max BirtwistleWoodstock Security’s Nigel Hallows presented Josh Riley with his Under 9’s Player of the Year AwardNorthern Star Financial Planning’s Leigh Dickinson presented Jonty Whitehead with his Under 15’s Player of the Year AwardThe Under 11’s Player of the Year Award went to James HerbertThe Cricket Pad’s Phil Heaton presented Ben Clarke with his Under 13s Batting Award
Max Birtwistle was presented with the Under 15’s League Championship Trophy from John Stevens
Finally the club would like to thank all of the evening’s sponsors:
