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Monday December 9th
Accrington have appointed Stuart Crabtree as 1st XI captain for the 2014 season, Stuart was vice captain in 2013 and follows Graham Lloyd in leading the club. Everyone at the club wishes Stuart and all the players every success for the coming season.
Friday December 6th
Graham Lloyd has been appointed to the First-class umpires list. [More]
Monday November 18th
Record breaking former Accrington professional Ashar Zaidi has signed for Sussex. Zaidi, who signed for Church after leaving Accrington, has signed for the county on a two year contract after making two successful appearances in the County Championship for Sussex at the end of last season. Church have now announced the signing of Usman Tariq as Zaidi's replacement.
Saturday November 16th
Lancashire League Secretary Duncan Warburton presented the awards at Accrington's Senior Presentation Night. More
Friday November 15th
Accrington will begin the 2014 season with a triple header starting with the LB Cup 1st Round match at Church on Good Friday April 18th. The following day Accrington entertain Burnley in the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy with Ramsbottom visiting Thorneyholme Road on the opening day of the Lancashire League season on Sunday April 20th. 2014 Fixtures
Friday November 8th
Junior Presentation Night Report
Accrington have retained the Joe Collier Award for Sportsmanship at tonight's Lancashire League Dinner at Fence Gate Inn.
Saturday November 2nd
Accrington's 2014 20/20 campaign gets underway with two away fixtures. A visit to Rishton on the opening Friday June 6th is followed by a trip to Enfield the following Friday. Accrington host East Lancs on Friday June 20th and Church on June 27th. The semi finals are on Friday July 11th with the final set for Friday July 18th. 2014 Fixtures
Wednesday October 30th
Lancashire League champions Accrington have come up trumps with home draws in both the Colne Trophy and the 1st Round of the Worsley Cup. Accrington will take on main rivals and Holland Cup holders Lowerhouse in the Worsley Cup on Sunday May 18th and Worsley Cup holders Burnley in the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy 2014 season curtain raiser on Saturday April 19th. 2014 Fixtures
Monday October 14th
Accrington have been drawn away at Church in the 1st Round of the LCB Cup.
Friday September 27th
Ashar Zaidi's epic season has finally come to an end after 46 matches, 2421 runs, 136 wickets and 32 catches in five and a half action packed months. [More]
Wednesday September 11th
Ashar Zaidi made his County Championship debut for Sussex today, hitting 17 batting at number eight, in the match against Yorkshire at Hove.
Thursday September 5th
Ockert Erasmus has signed a contract to be Accrington's professional for 2014 tonight.
A truly remarkable season ends on Sunday with Ashar Zaidi playing his final match for Accrington just 90 runs short of breaking Bobby Simpson's 54 year-old club batting record of 1444 runs. Ash has warmed up for Sunday's match at Colne with an unbeaten 192 for Sussex 2nds against Durham. The county were so impressed with Ash (he also took 6 wickets in the match) that he is in line for his County Championship debut in Wednesday's match against Yorkshire at Hove. Accrington are again without injured skipper Graham Lloyd. Accrington make two changes with Jimmy Hayhurst and Aijaz Shah replacing Andy Greenwood and Liam Smalley. Colne make four changes with Khurram Nazir, Sam Tillotson and Tayyib Jamil replacing Ammad Akram, Gary Hunt and Adam Holt. Professional Shadley van Schalkwyke has gone home and the club have not yet named his replacement for Sunday. Accrington's win over Ramsbottom last Sunday equalled the club's 1975 record of 21 wins. Looking back at 1978
A team photo will be taken on Sunday at Accrington at 11am featuring all the players who have played in the title winning campaign, including Liam, Bryn, Andy Greenwood and Sam Tattersall. Please be there on time.
A minutes silence will be held before Sunday's games in respect of former East Lancs players Jim Kenyon and Brian Ratcliffe.
Saturday August 31st
Accrington begin the defence of their Lancashire League title with a home game against Ramsbottom on Sunday 20th April 2014. [More]
Wednesday August 28th
Accrington play their last home match of the season on Sunday against second placed Ramsbottom who lie an incredible 53 points behind the newly crowned Lancashire League Champions. The Champions look to end their home season in style following last Sunday's coronation which came seven days after securing the crown against former champions Lowerhouse at Thorneyholme Road. A hamstring injury sidelines skipper Graham Lloyd so Aijaz Shah comes back in to the side after illness. Stuart Crabtree captains the team. Matt Sutton replaces Jonny Dack in the Ramsbottom team. Looking back at 1978
Tuesday August 27th
Accrington professional Ashar Zaidi has agreed to sign for title rivals Church for the 2014 season.
Thursday August 22nd
Accrington have agreed terms with East Lancs professional Ockert Erasmus for the 2014 season. First Team Manager Ian Wilson said: "The Club is pleased to have secured the services of Ockert Erasmus as Professional for the 2014 season. He is a very good player who knows the league and we believe he will fit in well to our team and set up."
A Derby Double header weekend culminates with the
Lancashire League Trophy Presentation followed by the Beach Party and Summer Raffle Draw after Sunday's match against Enfield.
But first up it's Church on Saturday. Craig Fergusson brings an unchanged team in his quest for the Holland Cup. Fergie's men have gone fourteen matches without defeat in the league after losing five of their first eight matches. Church are the last team to win at Accrington last August in the replayed Worsley Cup semi final. Church are five points adrift of second placed Lowerhouse. Accrington make two changes with Graeme Sneddon returning from suspension along with Liam Smalley to replace Jimmy Hayhurst and Aijaz Shah. Looking back at 1978
Sunday's visitors Enfield are the last team to win at Accrington in the league 19 matches ago. Aijaz Shah replaces Sam Excell in the Accrington team. Enfield pick from thirteen adding Tiarnan Hamill and Keiran Demaine to Saturday's team. Looking back at 1978
Saturday August 17th
Marley Ali has been called up for the Lancashire League Under 21 team to play in a T20 match against a Lancashire Development side at Turf Moor on Bank Holiday Monday.
Wednesday August 14th
League leaders Accrington need just 8 more points from their remaining five matches to capture the Lancashire League title for the eighth time. The leaders begin a run of four successive home matches when they welcome current champions Lowerhouse to Thorneyholme Road on Sunday. Accrington name an unchanged team whilst Joe Hawke replaces Declan Bailey in the Lowerhouse team. Lowerhouse have won on their last two visits to Thorneyholme Road but it is 14 months since Accrington last lost at home in the league. Looking back at 1978
Wednesday August 7th
Accrington visit Worsley Cup finalists Haslingden on Saturday needing just 26 points from the final six matches of the season. Phil Hayes and Rob Pye replace Josh Walker and Gareth Wolstencroft in the Haslingden team. Jake Neary gets a run out in the seconds after injury ahead of Sunday's Worsley Cup Final. Accrington make three changes with skipper Graham Lloyd, David Ormerod and Simon Hanson returning in place of Liam Smalley, Mitch Taylor and the suspended Graeme Sneddon. Looking back at 1978
Tuesday August 6th
Ashar Zaidi has decided not to re-sign for Lancashire League leaders Accrington for the 2014 season. [More]
Wednesday July 31st
Accrington play the first of five home matches out of the final seven remaining games of the season on Sunday when they entertain Todmorden, needing 38 points to clinch the Lancashire League title. The game features the league's leading run scorers with Accrington's professional Ashar Zaidi and Todmorden's Geeth Alwis looking to be the first to the magical 1000 run mark. Zaidi currently has 926 runs whilst Alwis' golden run of form recently has taken him to 911. Todmorden's Ben Sutcliffe and Simon Newbitt both have scored more than 500 runs this season whilst Zaidi is also the leading wicket taker with 64 victims. Accrington are without David Ormerod and Simon Hanson who are replaced by Mitch Taylor and Liam Smalley. Todmorden make two changes with Freddie Priestley and Bilal Abbas replacing Chris Barker and Oliver Wood. Looking back at 1978 Saturday's third team game Enfield has been postponed and will now be played on Monday August 26th.
Thursday July 25th
Liam Smalley has been selected for the Lancashire League Under 17s to play North West Over 40s at Todmorden on Thursday August 1st. [More]
The penultimate league double header of the season sees Accrington face the same opposition as last week. On Saturday Bacup are the visitors as Accrington look to protect their 40 point lead with nine matches to go. Bacup will be wondering how they managed to come out of last weekend's fixtures without a win. On Saturday they had Accrington 9 wickets down and then dropped last man David Ormerod whilst on Sunday they scored 250 and finished pointless against Burnley. Jake Clarke replaces Liam Smalley in the Accrington team. Looking back at 1978
On Sunday Accrington visit Nelson. Nelson will be hoping for a much improved display when they take on leaders Accrington who had a convincing 9 wicket win last Sunday in the reverse fixture. Both clubs name an unchanged team. Looking back at 1978
Thursday July 18th
The club is saddened to hear of the passing of long time committee member and former League Rep Keith Hindley on Monday July 15th.
League leaders Accrington face a tricky double header weekend. On Saturday they travel to Bacup who had a good win at East Lancs last Sunday thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 133 from professional Aubrey Swanepoel who is finding form at last. Liam Smalley replaces Jacob Clarke in the Accrington team. Matt Ramshead replaces John Syers in the Bacup team. Looking back at 1978
On Sunday Accrington host bogey team Nelson at Thorneyholme Road. Last season's win was Accrington's first at home over Nelson since 2004. Accrington have beaten Nelson only three times in league matches over the last five seasons with Nelson winning six times. Victory would give Accrington a club record ninth successive home win. Sam Excell replaces Graham Lloyd in the Accrington team. Stuart Crabtree takes charge. Nelson are unchanged. Looking back at 1978
Wednesday July 17th
Liam Smalley has been chosen to represent the LCB in the Jack Cross Trophy which is a six day event with two days per game on 22-23, 25-26 and 30-31 July.
Thursday July 11th
Accrington travel to Lowerhouse on Sunday exactly 12 months to the day after ending the champions long unbeaten home record. Graham Lloyd's men have a good recent record at The Neville Gee Recruitment Ground having also picked up the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy in April. In matches against the top four this season both clubs have won one and lost one. Accrington name Simon Hanson after injury and skipper Graham Lloyd returns in place of Sam Excell and Liam Smalley. Lowerhouse pick from twelve, adding Matt Walker after the all rounder missed out last weekend due to injury. Looking back at 1978
Thursday July 4th
Accrington face the first double header weekend of an action packed July. On Saturday Accrington play at East Lancs as the season reaches the halfway point. Accrington are unchanged whilst East Lancs make one change with Mo Bhada replacing Taiyib Asif. Looking back at 1978
On Sunday Rishton are the visitors. Sam Excell makes his league debut for Accrington in place of skipper Graham Lloyd. Stuart Crabtree takes charge. Rishton ring the changes for the second game running with five men and and five men out. Craig Smith, Shaun Wyse, Matt Nuttall, Josh Brown and Nasir Malik replace Scott Greaves, Mo Patel, Mark Leathert, Darrel Thomas and Jimmy Bibby. Looking back at 1978
Tuesday July 2nd
Liam Smalley has been chosen to play in the LCB Under 16 Youth Festival n on the 8th, 9th and 10th of July with the final being played at Old Trafford at a later date.
Friday June 28th
Accrington's Simon Hanson has been selected for the Lancashire League team to play in the Lookers Inter League T20 at Nelson on Thursday July 25th. The Lancashire League team will play the Ribblesdale League at approx 1.00pm with the winners playing either Palace Shield or Northern League in the final at approx 4.00pm. [More]
Wednesday June 26th
Accrington are without skipper Graham Lloyd for Friday's 20/20 match against Enfield at Thorneyholme Road.
Team: Stuart Crabtree (Captain), Simon Hanson, Sam Excell, Ben Excell, Marley Ali, Jacob Clarke, Jimmy Hayhurst, Graeme Sneddon, Liam Smalley, Matt Wilson (wk), Ashar Zaidi (Pro). Meet Ground 5.30pm.
On Sunday league leaders Accrington travel to Acre Bottom to take on Ramsbottom who sit in fourth place 40 points behind. Steve Dearden returns for Ramsbottom in place of Ashley Parkinson. Accrington also make a change with Graeme Sneddon replacing Andy Greenwood. Looking back at 1978
Thursday June 20th
Thorneyholme Road stages the top verses bottom clash on Saturday between Accrington who have won ten out of ten and Colne who have yet to win in nine league games. Kenton Rhodes replaces Ammad Akram in the Colne team. Accrington make three changes with Simon Hanson, Stuart Crabtree and Aijaz Shah replacing Bryn Hargreaves, Liam Smalley and last Sunday's hero Graeme Sneddon. Looking back at 1978
Sam Excell makes his senior debut for Accrington in Friday's match at Church.
Team: Graham Lloyd (Captain), Stuart Crabtree, Simon Hanson, Sam Excell, Marley Ali, Jacob Clarke, Jimmy Hayhurst, Bryn Hargreaves, Liam Smalley, Matt Wilson (wk), Ashar Zaidi (Pro). Meet Church 5.30pm.
Wednesday June 12th
League leaders Accrington look for a tenth straight win of the season at Rawtenstall on Sunday. Keith Roscoe needs just 2 wickets to join Alf Pollard and Fred Duerr in the 1500 wicket club. Accrington make four changes with Simon Hanson, Sam Tattersall, Stuart Crabtree and Aijaz Shah being replaced by Matt Wilson, Marley Ali, Bryn Hargreaves and Liam Smalley. Rawtenstall make three changes with Imran Abid, Nick Payne and Andy Riley replacing Dean Barlow, Connor Glover and Dean O'Brien. Looking back at 1978
Thursday June 6th
Friday sees the opening home 20/20 match with Rishton the visitors. The evening promises warm sunny weather, good cricket, music and plenty of food and drink.
On Sunday Accrington entertain Burnley, the league's most unpredictable side. Bharat Tripathi's men followed up a heavy defeat at Rishton on Saturday with a brilliant win against Nelson on Sunday. Skipper Graham Lloyd returns to lead the Accrington side with Bryn Hargreaves returning to the seconds. Burnley make a 14 man squad with Josh Whitehead, Steve Whittaker, Matt Lamb, A. Syed and Aiden Tate coming in and Unicorn Bharat Tripathi and club chairman Michael Brown dropping out. Looking back at 1978
Wednesday June 5th
Graham Lloyd returns to captain Accrington in Friday's home game with Rishton in place of Ben Excell.
Team: Graham Lloyd (Captain), Stuart Crabtree, Simon Hanson, Aijaz Shah, Graeme Sneddon, Jacob Clarke, Jimmy Hayhurst, Bryn Hargreaves, Liam Smalley, Sam Tattersall (wk), Ashar Zaidi (Pro). Meet ground 5.30pm
Tuesday June 4th
Accrington's long serving scorer Lionel Cooke has been rewarded for his long service to sport in the community at the prestigious Fusion Awards. [More]
Sunday June 2nd
The thirds game at East Lancs has now been re-arranged for next Saturday June 8th.
Thursday May 30th
Last Monday's abandoned 3rd XI home game against Ramsbottom will now be replayed on Monday August 26th.
Wednesday May 29th
Simon Hanson has been rewarded for a fantastic start to the season by being selected as the Lancashire League's Under 23 Player of the Month for April/ May. [More]
Tuesday May 28th
Stuart Crabtree captains Accrington in their opening 20/20 game at East Lancs on Friday.
Team: Stuart Crabtree (Captain), Simon Hanson, Aijaz Shah, Graeme Sneddon, Jacob Clarke, Jimmy Hayhurst, Ben Excell, Bryn Hargreaves, Liam Smalley, Sam Tattersall (wk), Ashar Zaidi (Pro). Meet East Lancs 5.30pm.
Accrington go to Church on Sunday looking to extend their winning run to eight matches this season and twelve in total without skipper Graham Lloyd and wicketkeeper Matt Wilson. Stuart Crabtree leads the side and Bryn Hargreaves and Sam Tattersall come in. Looking back at 1978
The thirds entertain Rishton on Saturday in a match that should have been played at Blackburn Road.
Wednesday May 22nd
Runaway league leaders Accrington take their ten league match winning run to Rishton on Sunday. The home side ended Accrington's long unbeaten run last Sunday in the Worsley Cup with a well deserved 1 wicket win but the last ten league matches between the two sides have all gone Accrington's way. Rishton make three changes with Richard Rostron having arrived from Australia to take his place in the side along with former Accrington player Scott Greaves and Shaun Wyse in place of veteran Craig Smith, Darrel Thomas and Ben Bridson. Skipper Graham Lloyd returns for the visitors in place of Bryn Hargreaves who returns to the seconds. Church are unchanged. Looking back at 1978
Ian Johnson's third team entertain Ramsbottom on Monday. See below for changes to this season's fixtures.
Tuesday May 21st
The thirds home game against Nelson on June 8th has also been postponed.
Monday May 20th
The thirds game at East Lancs on Saturday has been cancelled due to the Telegraph Cup tie held over from Sunday being played at Alexandra Meadows.
Friday May 17th
League leaders Accrington entertain East Lancs on Saturday looking for a club record tenth successive win. Accrington are unchanged whilst East Lancs make two changes with Max Wynn-Jones and Usama Chaudhary replacing Adam Chester and Ben Westhead. Looking back at 1978
On Sunday Accrington face Rishton in the Worsley Cup 1st Round at Blackburn Road. The two clubs have met 22 times in the Worsley Cup with twelve wins for Accrington and ten wins for Rishton. The last time that Rishton beat their neighbours Viv Richards was their professional back in 1987. Bryn Hargreaves replaces Accrington skipper Graham Lloyd with Stuart Crabtree looking to maintain his 100 per cent record in charge. Rishton make three changes bringing in Craig Smith, Mark Leathert and Darrel Thomas replacing Scott Greaves, Shaun Wyse and Chris Lambert. Accrington v Rishton in the Worsley Cup
Saturday May 11th
Sunday's Under 9s match against Nelson has been cancelled.
Wednesday May 8th
Accrington take an unbeaten run of 14 games into the double header weekend looking for a ninth consecutive victory. The form of professional Ashar Zaidi has been a key factor in Accrington's run. The all rounder has scored 475 runs at 47.5 and he has taken 46 wickets at just 8.4. On Saturday Accrington visit Burnley who had a great start to the season by beating Church but lost twice last weekend. Both clubs are unchanged. The five year Form Guide shows the clubs level on five wins each. Looking back at 1978
On Sunday it's the big derby against Church who were the last team to beat Accrington in the Worsley Cup semi final last August. The five year Form Guide shows Accrington with six wins against three for Church. Both clubs name an unchanged team. Looking back at 1978
Friday May 3rd
Len Dewhurst makes his senior umpiring debut at Nelson on Saturday under the watchful eye of his former team-mate Duncan Warburton in the match against Enfield.
Thursday May 2nd
Marley Ali has scored an incredible 262 not out for Lancaster Uni. Marley hit 23 fours and 19 sixes in his sides 410 run win against Edge Hill Uni.
Accrington hope to have skipper Graham Lloyd back from umpiring duties in the Kent v Northants match in Canterbury but it would take an extraordinary turn of events to make this possible as the match isn't due to finish until Saturday when his side host Rawtenstall. Ben Excell stands by to make his league debut against his former club. Rawtenstall bring in Connor Glover and Dean O'Brien for Imran Abid and Nick Payne. Keith Roscoe still waits in the wings whilst his suspension is served. Looking back at 1978
On Sunday it's local derby day with Accrington visiting Enfield. The home side replace Simon O'Loughlin with Alex Whittaker. The clubs are five and five on the five year form guide with Accrington holding 89 wins overall against Enfield's 84. Looking back at 1978
On Monday Ian Johnson's third team open their account at Lowerhouse.
Monday April 29th
The thirds match against Rishton on Saturday June 1st has been switched to Accrington.
Thursday April 25th
Accrington travel to Todmorden on Sunday looking for a third successive win. Graeme Sneddon is named in the team after suffering an eye injury in last Saturday's Colne Trophy win at Lowerhouse. Todmorden name an unchanged team. Looking back at 1978 Lets hope for better luck than in 1978 when the corresponding match was abandoned without play.
Thursday April 18th
The 2013 season kicks off with a double header. First up Accrington travel to the home of double winners Lowerhouse for the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy. Skipper Graham Lloyd misses the annual curtain raiser so vice captain Stuart Crabtree takes the reins for the first time. Liam Smalley makes his senior debut in a competitive match.
Lowerhouse are without Fergus Bailey, Matt Walker and Matt Wilson so Jack Edgar is included in the team. Neither club has won the trophy outright with both of Lowerhouse's appearances scuppered by rain and Accrington's previous matches ending in defeat by Todmorden in 2009 and by Ramsbottom in 2010.
On Sunday Accrington entertain Haslingden. Skipper Graham Lloyd returns in place of Liam Smalley. Haslingden will be without professional Brenton Parchment who is replaced by Lancashire's Stephen Parry. Looking back at 1978
Saturday April 13th
Today's friendly with Leyland was called off after the first innings. Leyland scored 235-4 off their allotted 40 overs. Aijaz Shah took 2 wickets, with Liam Smalley and Jimmy Hayhurst picking up one apiece.
Wednesday April 10th
Accrington's team to entertain Leyland on Saturday:
Start 1.30pm, meet ground 12.15pm
Graham Lloyd (capt), Stuart Crabtree, Jimmy Hayhurst, David Ormerod, Simon Hanson, Graeme Sneddon, Matt Wilson, Andy Greenwood, Jake Clarke, Ben Excell, Liam Smalley
Monday April 1st
Alick Ormerod has passed away after a brave battle against cancer. [More]
Sunday March 31st
Accrington's friendlies against Padiham on Saturday April 6th have been cancelled.
Saturday March 30th
Outdoor practice will start on Tuesday 9th April for seniors and Monday 15th April for juniors, both 6.30 to 8.00.
Friday March 29th
The club is organising two sponsored walks. [More]
Sunday April 14th will be the annual Clean Up Day at the club. [More]
Sunday March 24th
Accrington's scorecards from 1886 have now been completed. [More]
Thursday January 31st
The Excell brothers Sam and Ben have signed for Accrington. The brothers transfer from Rawtenstall was approved at last night's League Meeting along with several rule changes including bringing in bowling restrictions limiting one bowler to a maximum of 17 overs and the rest to 14 overs per innings.
Accrington will play Leyland in a pre-season friendly at Thorneyholme Road on Saturday 13th April.
Wednesday January 30th
Graham Lloyd will continue as first team captain this coming season. The former Lancashire star, who took over as skipper in mid term last season, will have Stuart Crabtree as his vice captain. Scott Hudson and Ian Johnson will continue as second and third team captain respectively. Ian Wilson will continue as first team Manager and Len Dewhurst will be 2nd XI Team Manager. The club will play at Padiham in a friendly on Saturday 6th April with 2nd XI home to Padiham 2nd XI on the same day.
Tuesday January 22nd
Friday's AGM has been cancelled and will now be held on Friday 8th February.
Thursday January 10th
Andy Stevenson is the new Chairman of the Junior Cricket Section. David Hargreaves takes on the role of Secretary.
Monday January 7th
Congratulations to Ash who has become the proud father of a son Syed Uzair Ahmed Zaidi. No word yet if the youngster bats left or right handed. Ash is currently recovering from a knee operation but should be fit in around six weeks.
Congratulations also to former Accrington player Steve Birtwistle who has also just become a father to a baby boy.
Tuesday January 1st
The AGM will be held on Friday January 25th in the clubhouse from 7.30pm.