This weekend - Sunday 1st August could see Keith Roscoe become the leading amateur bowler in the 131 year history of The Lancashire League. He needs just 1 more wicket to claim 1812 league wickets and the record. The home game against Nelson starts at 1pm. The club welcomes all spectators and hopefully, we will all see history being made.
Good luck Kes...that's some record that will take a lot of beating

Good luck to him fantastic Stat if he can do it

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 2:27 pm

Good luck to him fantastic Stat if he can do it

Will they compose an overture to him when he hits 1812 wickets ...


This being unable to edit posts is a bind

I’m sure that picture was taken on his debut

What a fantastic player he's been for Rawtenstall and previously Bacup.

I actually saw him take the first of those wickets on 2nd June 1979 for Bacup against Burnley:

Roland Harrison c Barry Wilson b Keith Roscoe 22

Huge well done to him - would be brilliant if he could go on a few more years and get to 2,000.

Fingers crossed for the weather on Sunday and he gets the wicket needed at home.

Fantastic achievement deserves the record upthecolne

"Bowling Chris Bleazard, you're just a bowling Chris Bleazard......"

Incredible record. What a credit he is to Rawtenstall Cricket Club and the Lancashire league as a whole.

I first come accross Kes when he pro'd for Edenfield in 96 I think.
Grand lad and good bowler.

I hadn't seen a pro bat at 11 before or since though.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:54 pm

I first come accross Kes when he pro'd for Edenfield in 96 I think.
Grand lad and good bowler.

I hadn't seen a pro bat at 11 before or since though.

I once went to a Burnley v Colne LL game when both pros batted at number 10 and they were there on merit.

Matthews for Burnley, he got his highest score of the season that day but recorded just 222 runs all season from 20 innings. Colne pro Greenidge was even better, he scored the grand total of 66 runs in the season from 20 innings.

Matthews was the worst pro I ever saw at Burnley.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:54 pm

I first come accross Kes when he pro'd for Edenfield in 96 I think.
Grand lad and good bowler.

I hadn't seen a pro bat at 11 before or since though.

Must have the record number of ‘not outs’ as a batter!!!!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 5:05 pm

I once went to a Burnley v Colne LL game when both pros batted at number 10 and they were there on merit.

Matthews for Burnley, he got his highest score of the season that day but recorded just 222 runs all season from 20 innings. Colne pro Greenidge was even better, he scored the grand total of 66 runs in the season from 20 innings.
Matthews was the worst pro I ever saw at Burnley.

Gopaul at Church took some beating 420 runs and 12 wickets, a real duckegg!

CleggHall wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 5:59 pm

Gopaul at Church took some beating 420 runs and 12 wickets, a real duckegg!

For all the poor Pro's that have played in the Lancashire League,we have been blessed to see some absolutely fantastic one's .....my personal favourite at Rawtenstall has to be Franklyn Stephenson.

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:08 pm

For all the poor Pro's that have played in the Lancashire League,we have been blessed to see some absolutely fantastic one's .....my personal favourite at Rawtenstall has to be Franklyn Stephenson.

A great player Stephenson pal, in fairly recent times Chris Cairns up Bacup was great to watch.

Aclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:13 pm

A great player Stephenson pal, in fairly recent times Chris Cairns up Bacup was great to watch.

Franklyn was a big favourite along with Abid Ali,had some great days on Bacup rd watching those two,with the ground full,.....and the bar open all day

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:08 pm

For all the poor Pro's that have played in the Lancashire League,we have been blessed to see some absolutely fantastic one's .....my personal favourite at Rawtenstall has to be Franklyn Stephenson.

Some superb cricketers have been in the league

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:22 pm

Some superb cricketers have been in the league

The biggest one of all was Viv,although when he came to Rawtenstall he didn't bat long,not sure of his record that season ...but he disappointed that day.

No edit button.
Roscoe got him out that day.

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:26 pm

The biggest one of all was Viv,although when he came to Rawtenstall he didn't bat long,not sure of his record that season ...but he disappointed that day.

If my dad was here he'd tell you to look no further than Cec Pepper and Everton Weekes but they were different days.

Surprised Miandad wasn’t signed up by Clitheroe. Playing more than one pro wise...

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:33 pm

If my dad was here he'd tell you to look no further than Cec Pepper and Everton Weekes but they were different days.

Yes agreed, Cec Pepper and Dattu Phadkar were excellent pros for Rochdale in the CLL late 1950s, at the time I didn’t realise both had previously been at Burnley. Pepper was a nightmare to play against, amazing that he became a 1st class umpire.

CleggHall wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:58 pm

Yes agreed, Cec Pepper and Dattu Phadkar were excellent pros for Rochdale in the CLL late 1950s, at the time I didn’t realise both had previously been at Burnley. Pepper was a nightmare to play against, amazing that he became a 1st class umpire.

Both before my time but only just missed Phadkar.

Pep was I believe difficult to handle so amazing he ended up umpiring.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:33 pm

If my dad was here he'd tell you to look no further than Cec Pepper and Everton Weekes but they were different days.

The league has been blessed by some fantastic cricketers....looking through the list Viv probably wasn't the biggest,my step father and from Haslingden...but ended up living in Bacup...never ever looked further than Everton Weekes being the best pro ever....different era's different views

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:32 pm

No edit button.
Roscoe got him out that day.

Story on the Lancs League website recently of Peter Barnes recollection of catching Richards out off bowling of Kez.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:08 pm

Story on the Lancs League website recently of Peter Barnes recollection of catching Richards out off bowling of Kez.

The ball before Richard's hit him out of the ground walked down the wicket and said to Kes " I didn't even middle that"....

Here is the link: http://lancashireleague.com/Features/MF ... 987MR.html

Posted this before but as a junior we had the likes of Colin Miller and Michael Bevan down coaching us while they were here as professionals.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:12 pm

Here is the link: http://lancashireleague.com/Features/MF ... 987MR.html

Posted this before but as a junior we had the likes of Colin Miller and Michael Bevan down coaching us while they were here as professionals.

That’s fantastic when you are coached by a top player. One of my lasting memories is coaching with Charlie Griffith. Off the pitch, a gentle giant.

CleggHall wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:58 pm

Yes agreed, Cec Pepper and Dattu Phadkar were excellent pros for Rochdale in the CLL late 1950s, at the time I didn’t realise both had previously been at Burnley. Pepper was a nightmare to play against, amazing that he became a 1st class umpire.

The ( perhaps true ) story I heard about Cec Pepper was that in his first year as a " Pro " playing for Burnley, he quickly gained a reputation for his colourful vocabulary and obvious displeasure at some umpiring decisions ..
In one particular game, he had a couple of LBW shouts turned down and reacted in his usual fashion. Noticing the looks of concern on his captain's face, he decided on a different approach. At the end of the over, he took his sweater & cap from the Umpire ...

" Sorry about the reaction there, Ump ... I just get very involved and can't help expressing how I feel. Nothing personal, mate ... "

" Don't worry, son " replied the Umpire, " You're in Lancashire, we don't mind a fella who speaks his mind "

" Oh, well thanks, very reasonable of you ", came Pepper's reply

The next over, Pepper went up with the fielders for another LBW appeal, looking pleadingly at the Umpire ...

" Not out, you fat Australian B*****d ! "

Clarets4me wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 10:33 am

The ( perhaps true ) story I heard about Cec Pepper was that in his first year as a " Pro " playing for Burnley, he quickly gained a reputation for his colourful vocabulary and obvious displeasure at some umpiring decisions ..
In one particular game, he had a couple of LBW shouts turned down and reacted in his usual fashion. Noticing the looks of concern on his captain's face, he decided on a different approach. At the end of the over, he took his sweater & cap from the Umpire ...

" Sorry about the reaction there, Ump ... I just get very involved and can't help expressing how I feel. Nothing personal, mate ... "

" Don't worry, son " replied the Umpire, " You're in Lancashire, we don't mind a fella who speaks his mind "

" Oh, well thanks, very reasonable of you ", came Pepper's reply

The next over, Pepper went up with the fielders for another LBW appeal, looking pleadingly at the Umpire ...

" Not out, you fat Australian B*****d ! "

From what my dad told me, that is very likely to be true.

I saw Pep play once. He was sub pro for Todmorden at Lowerhouse in 1963 at the age of 46. It was a midweek game, no Sunday games back then. He bowled brilliantly, taking six wickets. However, he failed with the bat and wasn't happy. The language was choice as he left the field and you would perhaps have to ask arise_sir-charge if the repairs have been done in the dressing room.

He must have been a brilliant cricketer who I was told would have been an Aussie legend had he not had a fall out with Bradman which led to him not being selected despite being considered the finest all rounder in the world at the time.

Steve Waugh @ Nelson vs Viv @ Rishton; both got tons I think ? Them days have well and truly gone now. Shame really.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:09 am

From what my dad told me, that is very likely to be true.

I saw Pep play once. He was sub pro for Todmorden at Lowerhouse in 1963 at the age of 46. It was a midweek game, no Sunday games back then. He bowled brilliantly, taking six wickets. However, he failed with the bat and wasn't happy. The language was choice as he left the field and you would perhaps have to ask arise_sir-charge if the repairs have been done in the dressing room.

He must have been a brilliant cricketer who I was told would have been an Aussie legend had he not had a fall out with Bradman which led to him not being selected despite being considered the finest all rounder in the world at the time.

May I suggest having both Cec Pepper & Keith Miller in a touring team may have presented some challenges to the Tour Manager !!

Marney&Mee wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:46 pm

Surprised Miandad wasn’t signed up by Clitheroe. Playing more than one pro wise...

Should that be "weren't"?

I'm still trying to work out his numbers.

50 years playing taking an average of 36 wickets every season?

That really is unbelievable Jeff.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:48 am

I'm still trying to work out his numbers.

50 years playing taking an average of 36 wickets every season?

That really is unbelievable Jeff.

I’m wondering how he feels every Monday morning

Local cricketer wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:52 am

I’m wondering how he feels every Monday morning

When Steve Gee played double headers for Padiham, when he was around 50. He used to have to get up at 4am on a Sunday morning for a bath and then physio at 9am, just so he could play.

Most players retire before 28 these days.

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 28, 2021 2:15 pm

This weekend - Sunday 1st August could see Keith Roscoe become the leading amateur bowler in the 131 year history of The Lancashire League. He needs just 1 more wicket to claim 1812 league wickets and the record. The home game against Nelson starts at 1pm. The club welcomes all spectators and hopefully, we will all see history being made.
Good luck Kes...that's some record that will take a lot of beating FB_IMG_1627477887330.jpg

William Cook has more wickets. (Although some were as a professional).

Hopey wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:20 pm

William Cook has more wickets. (Although some were as a professional).

Unless he took more than 1812 wickets as an amateur, then the post is right.

When talking about the great pros, didn't Sir Garfield Sobers play in the Lancashire League? I seem to remember Eli telling a tale of playing against him, on the lines of it was a draw because although he didn't take Sober's wicket, neither did Sobers get Eli out. And also of claiming a catch under playground rules of taking it one handed after a six was clattered against the scoreboard and Eli took the rebound with one hand.

My Dad had just got into Burnley’s 1st team aged 18 when a proposed team night out was arranged. Apparently my Grandma wasn’t in favour, so the team sent Cec Pepper to call for Dad and get him out with the lads. After a cup of tea and a chat with my Grandma, she called Dad in and told him to go and have a nice night out as “that nice Mr. Pepper is going to look out for you”. God knows what he told my Grandma or what went on on the night, but Dad was always allowed out on future nights out as long as Cec was going!

Sobers played in the Central Lancs League, for Radcliffe as a youngster and Littleboro at the end of his career. I saw him at both stages.

Herts Clarets wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:55 pm

When talking about the great pros, didn't Sir Garfield Sobers play in the Lancashire League? I seem to remember Eli telling a tale of playing against him, on the lines of it was a draw because although he didn't take Sober's wicket, neither did Sobers get Eli out. And also of claiming a catch under playground rules of taking it one handed after a six was clattered against the scoreboard and Eli took the rebound with one hand.

He played as a sub pro for Tod against Bacup. I know about him declaring it a draw and of him manufacturing a run out at the end because they were well beaten.

Sobers played once for Colne, as sub. Geoff Schofield ran him out for a low score! (But he took 5 wickets in another win for the mighty Colne.)

dsr wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:40 pm

Sobers played once for Colne, as sub. Geoff Schofield ran him out for a low score! (But he took 5 wickets in another win for the mighty Colne.)

Also the last time Colne won a game

dsr wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:40 pm

Sobers played once for Colne, as sub. Geoff Schofield ran him out for a low score! (But he took 5 wickets in another win for the mighty Colne.)

He played two Lancashire League games, one for Church (45 & 6 for 87) and one for Colne (10 & 5 for 25) and one Worsley Cup game for Tod v Eli (12 & 5 for 51)

Quite a few old timers playing though still. The bowling pro at Clitheroe Sharp must be well into his 50s

Can I please just say a lot off snide remarks about colne at the moment not big and not clever upthecolne

Longsidelenny1882 wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:39 pm

Can I please just say a lot off snide remarks about colne at the moment not big and not clever upthecolne

This seasons took It's toll Lenny. First team skipper has quit.

Good luck to Keith Roscoe today

Local cricketer wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:50 pm

Also the last time Colne won a game

Obviously factually totally incorrect e.g. difficult for Colne to win the Worsley Cup in 1999 and 2010 without winning a game