History
The Lancashire Cricket League was formed on March 16, 1892, growing from the North East Cricket League that had been formed 17 months earlier. Currently in membership are Accrington CC, Bacup CC, Burnley CC, Church CC, Colne CC, East Lancashire CC, Enfield CC, Haslingden CC, Lowerhouse CC, Nelson CC, Ramsbottom CC, Rawtenstall CC, Rishton CC, and Todmorden CC (coincidently actually in Yorkshire). In the early years Bury CC were also members but they withdrew after participating for just two seasons.
The early 1890s saw the sudden emergence of cricket leagues all over Lancashire, with the first in 1888 ‑ the Bolton Association. The North Lancashire League and the Central Lancashire League all started the same year as the Lancashire League in 1892. The Football League had set a trend in season 1888‑89 and also had its heart in Lancashire, and with professionals and regular friendlies and local derbies, the leagues quickly became very popular institutions, with games played at weekends when working people had rare leisure time.
In the early years, until 1899, it was possible for each team to field two professionals, but this was restricted for the 1900 season to one professional. The League Centenary was celebrated in 1992, and in 1998 a major exhibition about the League was mounted by Horse and Bamboo Theatre at their Centre with the involvement of the author Ron Freethy.
In 1981 the name was amended to include the name of a sponsor, initially Blackburn brewer Mathew Brown, later E.W.Cartons, and currently Sponsorbank.
The Lancashire League in its first season of 1892 consisted of only 13 clubs (the 14 current members minus Todmorden) before Bury played in 1893 and 1894 to give the league 14 clubs. Bury left for the 1895 season before Todmorden joined in 1897. The membership of the league has not changed since. In addition Edenfield have entered the 20/20 Cup since 2007 but have not entered any other Lancashire League competition.
Read more about this topic: Lancashire League (cricket)
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