LANCASHIRE TO RETURN TO TRAFALGAR ROAD IN MAY

Date: 27th November 2014

A Paul Edwards copyright exclusive for L&DCC Official Website.

One day games for Liverpool and Blackpool.

Lancashire’s cricketers will play at Southport for the third time in five years next season when they take on Derbyshire in a County Championship LV= Division Two match starting on Sunday, May 24th.

The publication of the 2015 first-class fixtures this morning brought the tidings for which Southport and Birkdale’s officials had been hoping, but there was also good news for Liverpool, whose Aigburth home will host a 50-over Royal London One-Day Cup game against Nottinghamshire on Thursday, August 4th.

Top-level county cricket also returns to Blackpool, with Stanley Park hosting a Royal London match when Lancashire play Middlesex on Wednesday July 29th.

But whatever measure of satisfaction is felt in the heart of Merseyside or on the Fylde coast will probably be eclipsed by that at Trafalgar Road and it was no surprise at all that S&B chairman Tony Elwood was in buoyant mood when he was told of the Red Rose county’s plans.

“It is tremendous news and, obviously, we are delighted that Lancashire have chosen to come back to Southport next year,” he said. “We have kept in touch with the management at Emirates Old Trafford since the game here last season and they are aware that our ground is always available. It's a lot of hard work, of course, but we're used to that and, having hosted two County Championship fixtures over the past four years, we know what needs to be done.

“The early season scheduling and Sunday start provide additional challenges, but cricket fans like coming here and it helps that the fixture falls during half term week, so we will be working with Lancashire to market the match as effectively as possible.

“I also hope that the local business community will respond to the opportunities available and support the game. If we do it right, we will be looking to secure regular First Class cricket here in the future.

“Lancashire have a good record against Derbyshire at Southport, with wins in 1965 and 1968, with a draw in 1974, when Frank Hayes scored a memorable hundred, and we look forward to welcoming them again next summer. I am also glad that Aigburth and Blackpool will be hosting games too, but this is great news for S&B CC, Lancashire cricket fans and the local economy.”