Liverpool and District Cricket Competition
Encyclopedia
The Liverpool and District Cricket Competition is the top level of competition for recreational club cricket
in the Liverpool
area and since 2000 has been a designated ECB
Premier League
, one of two in Lancashire, the other being the Northern League.
The Competition operates a three division system and has feeder leagues, the Merseyside Competition and the Southport and District Cricket League.
The eleven senior clubs making up the original table were Birkenhead Park, Bootle, Formby, Huyton, Liverpool, New Brighton, Northern
, Ormskirk, Oxton, Rock Ferry and Sefton.
Neston
were offered first team fixtures in 1908 and, in 1919, Hightown and Southport and Birkdale joined whilst Wallasey took over the fixtures of the Rock Ferry club who did not resume after the First War. Boughton Hall (later known as Chester Boughton Hall) were invited to join in 1923.
The Competition continued until 1947 when it was decided to admit a sixteenth club and Preston were voted in. Two years later, fixtures were standardised by all clubs agreeing to meet each other, and although there was no suggestion of a league, it was decided to regard the table as official.
Preston resigned at the end of the 1952 season to be replaced by St Helens Recs
in 1953.
In recent years, the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition has changed radically. There was an expansion in 1996 that introduced clubs from further afield in Lancashire and North Wales but saw founder members Birkenhead Park, Chester Boughton Hall, Neston and Oxton resign to join the Cheshire County Cricket League
for the 1998 season. Of the four, only Oxton had failed to be Champions of the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition.
In 1999 a two division structure was introduced, and in 2000 the 1st XI Premier Division was awarded ECB
Premier League
status.
From the end of the 2004 season, promotion from and relegation to the Merseyside and Southport Cricket Alliance feeder league was introduced, but was then curtailed from the end of the 2009 season. At this time, additional clubs from the Alliance were 'invited' to join, to form a new three divisional structure.
2nd XIs play in a similar three divisional structure but independent of the 1st XIs.
There is a two divisional structure for Saturday 3rd XIs and below, with another structure for those clubs preferring to play on Sundays. They have a Premier Division and two First Divisions, East and West.
, Northop Hall
, Ormskirk, Prestatyn, Wallasey.
First Division: Fleetwood Hesketh, Formby, Leigh, Liverpool, Maghull, Orrell Red Triangle, Rainford, Rainhill, Sefton Park, Skelmersdale, Southport and Birkdale, Wigan.
Second Division: Ainsdale, Alder, Birkenhead St Mary's, Burscough, Caldy, Moorfield, Parkfield Liscard, St Helens
, St Helens Recs
, Southport Trinity, Sutton, Wavertree.
, Northop Hall
, Ormskirk, Rainford.
First Division: Alder, Formby, Liverpool, Maghull, Orrell Red Triangle, Prestatyn, Rainhill, St Helens Recs
, Sefton Park, Southport and Birkdale, Wallasey, Wigan.
Second Division: Ainsdale, Birkenhead St Mary's, Burscough, Caldy, Fleetwood Hesketh, Moorfield, Parkfield Liscard, St Helens
, Skelmersdale, Southport Trinity, Sutton, Wavertree.
Moorfield and Southport Trinity resigned to return to the Merseyside Competition and Southport League respectively for 2012. Birkenhead Park (returning) and Old Xaverians (Merseyside Competition) elected to replace them.
Club cricket
Club cricket is a mainly amateur, but still formal, form of the sport of cricket, usually involving teams playing in competitions at weekends or in the evening. There is a great deal of variation in game format although the Laws of Cricket are always observed...
in the Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
area and since 2000 has been a designated ECB
England and Wales Cricket Board
The England and Wales Cricket Board is the governing body of cricket in England and Wales. It was created on 1 January 1997 combining the roles of the Test and County Cricket Board, the National Cricket Association and the Cricket Council...
Premier League
ECB Premier Leagues
In 1997 the ECB published "Raising the Standard", the ECB Management Board Blueprint for the Future Playing Structure of cricket. This introduced the concept of ECB Premier Leagues, designed to raise the playing standard of the top tier of club cricket and to bridge the gap between recreational...
, one of two in Lancashire, the other being the Northern League.
The Competition operates a three division system and has feeder leagues, the Merseyside Competition and the Southport and District Cricket League.
History
Although many of the district's clubs had met regularly as far back as 1850, or earlier, it was not until 1892 that a Liverpool newspaper began publishing a weekly table and calling it the Liverpool Competition in order to create more interest in the game.The eleven senior clubs making up the original table were Birkenhead Park, Bootle, Formby, Huyton, Liverpool, New Brighton, Northern
Northern Cricket Club
The Northern Cricket Club, located in Crosby on north Merseyside, was founded in 1859.The original clubhouse was in Rawson Road in nearby Seaforth until 1879, when the club moved to Haigh Road in Waterloo Park....
, Ormskirk, Oxton, Rock Ferry and Sefton.
Neston
Parkgate Cricket Ground
Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship...
were offered first team fixtures in 1908 and, in 1919, Hightown and Southport and Birkdale joined whilst Wallasey took over the fixtures of the Rock Ferry club who did not resume after the First War. Boughton Hall (later known as Chester Boughton Hall) were invited to join in 1923.
The Competition continued until 1947 when it was decided to admit a sixteenth club and Preston were voted in. Two years later, fixtures were standardised by all clubs agreeing to meet each other, and although there was no suggestion of a league, it was decided to regard the table as official.
Preston resigned at the end of the 1952 season to be replaced by St Helens Recs
St Helens Recreation Cricket Club
St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside....
in 1953.
In recent years, the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition has changed radically. There was an expansion in 1996 that introduced clubs from further afield in Lancashire and North Wales but saw founder members Birkenhead Park, Chester Boughton Hall, Neston and Oxton resign to join the Cheshire County Cricket League
Cheshire County Cricket League
The Cheshire County Cricket League is a cricket league based in England. It is the top level of competition for recreational club cricket in the Cheshire area, and is a designated ECB Premier League.-Winners:-External links:*...
for the 1998 season. Of the four, only Oxton had failed to be Champions of the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition.
In 1999 a two division structure was introduced, and in 2000 the 1st XI Premier Division was awarded ECB
England and Wales Cricket Board
The England and Wales Cricket Board is the governing body of cricket in England and Wales. It was created on 1 January 1997 combining the roles of the Test and County Cricket Board, the National Cricket Association and the Cricket Council...
Premier League
ECB Premier Leagues
In 1997 the ECB published "Raising the Standard", the ECB Management Board Blueprint for the Future Playing Structure of cricket. This introduced the concept of ECB Premier Leagues, designed to raise the playing standard of the top tier of club cricket and to bridge the gap between recreational...
status.
From the end of the 2004 season, promotion from and relegation to the Merseyside and Southport Cricket Alliance feeder league was introduced, but was then curtailed from the end of the 2009 season. At this time, additional clubs from the Alliance were 'invited' to join, to form a new three divisional structure.
2nd XIs play in a similar three divisional structure but independent of the 1st XIs.
There is a two divisional structure for Saturday 3rd XIs and below, with another structure for those clubs preferring to play on Sundays. They have a Premier Division and two First Divisions, East and West.
1st XI Divisions for 2010
ECB Premier League: Bootle, Colwyn Bay, Highfield, Hightown, Lytham, New Brighton, Newton le Willows, NorthernNorthern Cricket Club
The Northern Cricket Club, located in Crosby on north Merseyside, was founded in 1859.The original clubhouse was in Rawson Road in nearby Seaforth until 1879, when the club moved to Haigh Road in Waterloo Park....
, Northop Hall
Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground
Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground is a cricket ground in Northop Hall, Flintshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1908, In 1985 Welsh Schools played Scotland Under-19s. In 1992, Wales Minor Counties played a MCCA Knockout Trophy match against Staffordshire, representing the Welsh...
, Ormskirk, Prestatyn, Wallasey.
First Division: Fleetwood Hesketh, Formby, Leigh, Liverpool, Maghull, Orrell Red Triangle, Rainford, Rainhill, Sefton Park, Skelmersdale, Southport and Birkdale, Wigan.
Second Division: Ainsdale, Alder, Birkenhead St Mary's, Burscough, Caldy, Moorfield, Parkfield Liscard, St Helens
St Helens Cricket Club
St Helens Cricket Club is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside. The club was formed in 1843, making it one of the oldest clubs in Lancashire, the club plays its home games on Windleshaw Road Cricket Ground, Dentons Green, St Helens....
, St Helens Recs
St Helens Recreation Cricket Club
St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside....
, Southport Trinity, Sutton, Wavertree.
1st XI Divisions for 2011
ECB Premier League: Bootle, Colwyn Bay, Highfield, Hightown, Leigh, Lytham, New Brighton, Newton le Willows, NorthernNorthern Cricket Club
The Northern Cricket Club, located in Crosby on north Merseyside, was founded in 1859.The original clubhouse was in Rawson Road in nearby Seaforth until 1879, when the club moved to Haigh Road in Waterloo Park....
, Northop Hall
Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground
Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground is a cricket ground in Northop Hall, Flintshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1908, In 1985 Welsh Schools played Scotland Under-19s. In 1992, Wales Minor Counties played a MCCA Knockout Trophy match against Staffordshire, representing the Welsh...
, Ormskirk, Rainford.
First Division: Alder, Formby, Liverpool, Maghull, Orrell Red Triangle, Prestatyn, Rainhill, St Helens Recs
St Helens Recreation Cricket Club
St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside....
, Sefton Park, Southport and Birkdale, Wallasey, Wigan.
Second Division: Ainsdale, Birkenhead St Mary's, Burscough, Caldy, Fleetwood Hesketh, Moorfield, Parkfield Liscard, St Helens
St Helens Cricket Club
St Helens Cricket Club is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside. The club was formed in 1843, making it one of the oldest clubs in Lancashire, the club plays its home games on Windleshaw Road Cricket Ground, Dentons Green, St Helens....
, Skelmersdale, Southport Trinity, Sutton, Wavertree.
Moorfield and Southport Trinity resigned to return to the Merseyside Competition and Southport League respectively for 2012. Birkenhead Park (returning) and Old Xaverians (Merseyside Competition) elected to replace them.
Champions
| year | 1st XI Division | 2nd XI Division | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Bootle | Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| 1950 | Bootle | Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| 1951 | Boughton Hall | Boughton Hall | ||||
| 1952 | Liverpool | Birkenhead Park | ||||
| 1953 | Liverpool | Liverpool | ||||
| 1954 | Liverpool and Southport and Birkdale (joint) | New Brighton | ||||
| 1955 | Birkenhead Park | Sefton | ||||
| 1956 | Bootle | Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| 1957 | Chester Boughton Hall and Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... (joint) |
Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| 1958 | Hightown and Ormskirk (joint) | Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| 1959 | Liverpool | Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| 1960 | Birkenhead Park | Liverpool | ||||
| 1961 | Birkenhead Park | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
||||
| 1962 | Birkenhead Park | Oxton | ||||
| 1963 | Birkenhead Park | Northern Northern Cricket Club The Northern Cricket Club, located in Crosby on north Merseyside, was founded in 1859.The original clubhouse was in Rawson Road in nearby Seaforth until 1879, when the club moved to Haigh Road in Waterloo Park.... |
||||
| 1964 | Birkenhead Park | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
||||
| 1965 | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| 1966 | Birkenhead Park | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
||||
| 1967 | Sefton | Liverpool | ||||
| 1968 | Liverpool | Liverpool | ||||
| 1969 | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
Oxton | ||||
| 1970 | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
Liverpool | ||||
| 1971 | Ormskirk | Birkenhead Park | ||||
| 1972 | Sefton | Ormskirk | ||||
| 1973 | Ormskirk | Liverpool | ||||
| 1974 | New Brighton | New Brighton | ||||
| 1975 | Southport and Birkdale | Sefton | ||||
| 1976 | Ormskirk | Huyton | ||||
| 1977 | Ormskirk | Sefton and Birkenhead Park (joint) | ||||
| 1978 | St Helens Recs St Helens Recreation Cricket Club St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside.... |
Liverpool | ||||
| 1979 | Southport and Birkdale | Chester Boughton Hall | ||||
| 1980 | Ormskirk | Bootle | ||||
| 1981 | Liverpool | St Helens Recs St Helens Recreation Cricket Club St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside.... |
||||
| 1982 | New Brighton | Liverpool | ||||
| 1983 | New Brighton | Sefton | ||||
| 1984 | Bootle | Birkenhead Park | ||||
| 1985 | Chester Boughton Hall | St Helens Recs St Helens Recreation Cricket Club St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside.... |
||||
| 1986 | Birkenhead Park | Birkenhead Park | ||||
| 1987 | Bootle | Birkenhead Park | ||||
| 1988 | Birkenhead Park | Sefton | ||||
| 1989 | Bootle | Northern Northern Cricket Club The Northern Cricket Club, located in Crosby on north Merseyside, was founded in 1859.The original clubhouse was in Rawson Road in nearby Seaforth until 1879, when the club moved to Haigh Road in Waterloo Park.... |
||||
| 1990 | Bootle | Chester Boughton Hall | ||||
| 1991 | New Brighton | Bootle | ||||
| 1992 | Neston | New Brighton | ||||
| 1993 | New Brighton | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
||||
| 1994 | Chester Boughton Hall | New Brighton and Wallasey (joint) | ||||
| 1995 | Bootle | New Brighton | ||||
| 1996 | Southport and Birkdale | Oxton | ||||
| 1997 | Bootle | Neston Parkgate Cricket Ground Neston Cricket Club is a cricket ground in Parkgate, Cheshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1935, when Cheshire played Denbighshire in the Minor Counties Championship. Cheshire used the ground during a number of periods in the 20th century, playing 27 Minor Counties Championship... |
||||
| 1998 | New Brighton | Southport and Birkdale | ||||
| year | 1st XI Premier Division | 1st XI First Division | 2nd XI Premier Division | 2nd XI First Division | ||
| 1999 | Bootle | Lytham | Sefton | Liverpool | ||
| year | 1st XI ECB Premier League | 1st XI First Division | 2nd XI Premier Division | 2nd XI First Division | ||
| 2000 | Wallasey | Sefton Park | Liverpool | Newton le Willows | ||
| 2001 | Ormskirk | Maghull | Bootle | Huyton | ||
| 2002 | Wallasey | Newton le Willows | Bootle | Colwyn Bay | ||
| 2003 | Bootle | Southport and Birkdale | Bootle | Liverpool | ||
| 2004 | Bootle | Hightown | Bootle | Sefton Park | ||
| 2005 | Northern Northern Cricket Club The Northern Cricket Club, located in Crosby on north Merseyside, was founded in 1859.The original clubhouse was in Rawson Road in nearby Seaforth until 1879, when the club moved to Haigh Road in Waterloo Park.... |
Maghull | Bootle | Fleetwood Hesketh | ||
| 2006 | Bootle | St Helens Recs St Helens Recreation Cricket Club St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside.... |
Bootle | Highfield | ||
| 2007 | Bootle | Formby | Bootle | Northop Hall Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground is a cricket ground in Northop Hall, Flintshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1908, In 1985 Welsh Schools played Scotland Under-19s. In 1992, Wales Minor Counties played a MCCA Knockout Trophy match against Staffordshire, representing the Welsh... |
||
| 2008 | Ormskirk | Northop Hall Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground Northop Hall Cricket Club Ground is a cricket ground in Northop Hall, Flintshire. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1908, In 1985 Welsh Schools played Scotland Under-19s. In 1992, Wales Minor Counties played a MCCA Knockout Trophy match against Staffordshire, representing the Welsh... |
New Brighton | Formby | ||
| 2009 | Bootle | Highfield | Bootle | Orrell Red Triangle | ||
| year | 1st XI ECB Premier League | 1st XI First Division | 1st XI Second Division | 2nd XI Premier Division | 2nd XI First Division | 2nd XI Second Division |
| 2010 | Lytham | Leigh | St Helens Recs St Helens Recreation Cricket Club St Helens Recreation Cricket Club aka St Helens Recs Cricket Club , is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside.... |
Bootle | Maghull | St Helens St Helens Cricket Club St Helens Cricket Club is an English amateur cricket club based in St Helens, Merseyside. The club was formed in 1843, making it one of the oldest clubs in Lancashire, the club plays its home games on Windleshaw Road Cricket Ground, Dentons Green, St Helens.... |
| 2011 | Ormskirk | Maghull | Ainsdale | Bootle | Colwyn Bay | Burscough |