Lancashire League: Drakes was a dead duck (13 January 1999)

13 January 1999

Lancashire League: Drakes was a dead duck

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Todmorden CC chairman Malcolm Heyworth has admitted the signing of West Indian Vasbert Drakes was a "disaster".

Heyworth said: "Temperamentally he was never able to lift and encourage the team as a professional should, and never showed any desire to relate to or become part of the club.

"In signing young Queenslander Brendan Nash for 1999, the committee are confident that this aspect will be fulfilled."

Mr Heywood appealed for new members on the "action group," warning that its continuation was vital for the club's survival.

He said: "The Action Group has this year donated £6,300 to the club, making a total of £28,800 during its six years existence.

"It does not require much imagination to see where the club would have been without this financial support. However, the group has now virtually wound up its affairs and needs to be re-formed."

Club president Richard Lofthouse admitted that the fire in the pavilion had been a serious setback, and the catering profits had slumped from £1,788 to just £487 while the profit on the bar had been wiped out.

And Mr Heywood said: "Misfortune continued with the disastrous fire on July 19, which gutted the kitchen and put the function room out of action."

League representative Mr Ian Smith said the vote still had to be taken about the format for playing in 1999, but overs cricket of a maximum of 100 overs per match was being favoured, with a points system of 10 for a win and possible bonus points of 12 being available, which he said was being supported to create brighter cricket.

Alan Fiddling was voted the clubman of the year, while Brian Heywood received the Keith Link Trophy for Best All-Rounder and the two White Hart Cups for the first team batman and bowler with the best average, while the White Hart Cup for the fastest 50 went to Alan Schofield.

Fielder of the year went to John Barker. The second team trophies went to S Barker (best average batsman), J Moran (best average bowler), J Montague (best fielder). The third team trophies were won by A Gledhill (best average batsman), C Levick (best average bowler), L Montague (best fielder).

The Peter Brownbridge Memorial Trophy awarded to the outstanding young player of the season went to Alex Scholefield.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)