Concerns at St Annes Cricket Club over 'imminent' start to season

The ECB has given its consent for the recreational game to return to action from this weekend following the reopening of clubhouses last Saturday.

The Northern Premier League has shared documents with clubs, including an ECB action checklist and risk-assessment

forms, ahead of an “imminent” return to action.

No start date has yet been announced, though it is understood the competitions will take the form of localised round-robins as previously planned.

Among the proposed competitions was a six-team first XI event for the Fylde coast involving Northern League trio Blackpool, Fleetwood and St Annes, alongside Palace Shield clubs Fylde, South Shore and Thornton Cleveleys.

However, the Gazette understands that Lytham CC of the Liverpool Competition have also expressed an interest in taking part due to the travel issues involved in entering the similar competition planned by their league.

St Annes chairman John Cotton is waiting for details to be finalised but does have concerns over the viability of staging a mini-season in the final months of the summer.

He told The Gazette: “We haven’t as yet seen the ECB guidelines, so we don’t know if these will be too onerous or practical.

“But the intention is to try to adapt and if it is feasible we’ve said we will play. But the circumstances will be different because there will be no changing rooms and no food, so players and umpires would have to change before they arrive.

“My concern is it would cost us money and would be detrimental from a financial position.

“We got the clubhouse open last weekend but our staffing costs trebled and you have to provide sanitisers and PPE, with a limited number of people allowed in. Once you do start playing you have the costs of maintaining the ground.

“My personal thoughts are that it would have been better to leave it for this season but if there is a competition we will participate.

“I see it from all points of view but it won’t be cricket as we know it. I want to start playing but not if it’s imposing a financial burden on the club.”