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Blackburn Northern quit the Ribblesdale League (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn Northern quit the Ribblesdale League
8:36am Thursday 4th March 2010
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- By Matt Donlan » Sports reporter
BLACKBURN Northern have quit the Ribblesdale Cricket League – but could make a return in 12 months time.
Northern have informed league chiefs of their decision after a lack of interest in carrying on from their own players, but now club officials intend to re-form and start up again from scratch.
Northern were voted out of the Senior League in November but were set to carry on with their first team playing in Division One and their junior teams, who won both U15 and U18 leagues last season.
That vote at the league AGM came in the wake of former skipper and cricket manager Rudra Singh forfeiting a game shortly after the tea interval at eventual champions Baxenden, claiming conditions were not fit.
That controversial concession forced a change to Ribblesdale League rules and also led to calls for Northern to be expelled.
However, after just one player attended a special pre-season meeting, the club has decided to withdraw and try to re-form in time for the 2011 season.
That decision means Northern, who won the Senior League double in 2007, will have no teams in action at their Pleckgate Road home, which is also a venue for squash, tennis and hockey under the Blackburn Northern Sports Club banner.
Ribblesdale League chairman Brian Woodhead said: “I am sorry to see this happen but the league will offer Northern all the support we can in order for them to re-form in 2011.”
Teams due to play Northern this season in the lower leagues will now receive byes.
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Your Say YourTelegraph
rish, bash says...
1:13pm Thu 4 Mar 10
Mike Costa, Blackburn says...
8:47pm Thu 4 Mar 10
When Northerns first team were voted out of the league, I posted some things that a few others seemed to think were racist. They weren't.
What I alluded to then, and will repeat now, was that Northern are no longer a club that wants to be a part of the league in the same manner as all the other teams.
For a club to survive, it needs the vast majority of the members to contribute, not just on the pitch, but also in developing the social aspects and working hard on the upkeep of the facilities.
That was just not happening at Northern. It wasn't necessarily apathy, but seemed to be alien to the culture of the membership who , by last season were 100% Asian. The white members had taken the lead on most aspects of the running of the club. Only a handful of the Asians seem interested. They may well have been nice lads, but Mmst just wanted to turn up for games and then disappear until the following week.
I guess that the demise, while very sad, was inevitable.
The decision to appoint a huge ego such as Mr Singh to manage/captain the team was clearly wrong and only succeeded in hastening the end.
What needs to happen now is for some of those who were disenchanted by what has been happening for the past 5 years to return to the fold.
Think of it as a blank canvas and a chance to resurrect what used to be a good family club
blueette, west bridgford says...
7:16am Fri 5 Mar 10
It's one thing churning out paperwork to make sure every club has meaningless Clubmark accreditation and equal opportunities for all kinds of people who aren't interested and appointing welfare officers at every turn - quite another to be a respected and admired administrator.
blueette, west bridgford says...
7:16am Fri 5 Mar 10
It's one thing churning out paperwork to make sure every club has meaningless Clubmark accreditation and equal opportunities for all kinds of people who aren't interested and appointing welfare officers at every turn - quite another to be a respected and admired administrator.
Toshy, Cherry Tree says...
12:31pm Fri 5 Mar 10
Despite the numerous run-ins between Cherry Tree and Blackburn Northern, i am as disappointed as anyone to see Northern fold. Cherry Tree always enjoyed the derby match and it will seem strange to not have those two games in the calender.
Having said this - things have to change in order for a club or a league to progress and improve. Sadly, this progression has not happened at BN. Supposed 'big-hitters' (the aforementioned deadly duo) have left there mark on this cricket club. Unfortunately, it hasn't been a positive mark.
Got to say i agree with Rishy (probably the only time i'll be doing that this year) in that it's going to take something very special to get things back on track for 2011. The volume of members required to get a club up and running again will be tough - especially persuading people to move from other clubs. It's certainly not impossible though.
On a more positive note - Good luck to Salesbury. It's going to be a big step up, but other clubs have proved that over time it is possible to develop into a successful senior league team.
Tosh
Pinch Hitter, Bash says...
12:43pm Fri 5 Mar 10
This sad situation has developed because of the weak action on the part of the League Officials in the first place when they would not stand up to Mr Singh.
'My issue is not with Blackburn Northern but with the League Management Committee who should have thrown the book at the individual responsible and created a deterrent for the future.
A likely scenario is now developing where the clubs could form a Lynch Mob gunning for Blackburn Northern whilst the real culprit goes unpunished.
The problem with voting Northern out of the league is that the whole of the people associated with the club suffer, the vast majority of whom are completely innocent. Which division Blackburn Northern are in next season won’t matter one little bit to Mr Signh who not doubt will be plying his trade elsewhere by then.'
rish, bash says...
12:48pm Fri 5 Mar 10
Stu Maher, GHCC says...
12:51pm Fri 5 Mar 10
Lets not forget, the league management committee isnt the league officials, it the member clubs.
Its a shame BN have gone, as it would be for any club to leave, but its indicative of a general lack of interest in people volunteering to do things for their local clubs and communities prevalent across the country.
Pinch Hitter, Bash says...
1:03pm Fri 5 Mar 10
Anyone any news on where any of the Northern lads are playing next season?
rish, bash says...
1:43pm Fri 5 Mar 10
Stu Maher wrote:stuart i dont think clubs voted on a whim to not re-elect them as you say it wasnt that close so most clubs and their members/players must have been pretty upset with something that has gone on after all itt has never happened before in our lifetime anyway
I see your point PinchHitter, but at the end of the day it is not League Officials that demoted BN, it was each and every club who voted against them) and I understand it was by no means a close call. Even at our club, the decision on how to vote was a very close one. Lets not forget, the league management committee isnt the league officials, it the member clubs. Its a shame BN have gone, as it would be for any club to leave, but its indicative of a general lack of interest in people volunteering to do things for their local clubs and communities prevalent across the country.
dingle-berry, says...
5:37pm Fri 5 Mar 10
If they can try pursuade the better players to play for them next season and get there hands on the yongsters??
That could be a powerhouse of a side in a couple of years
and whats the story with barlick playing their first half of the season at northern??
dj66, blackburn says...
6:28pm Fri 5 Mar 10
UmpireTrell, Arrod says...
1:51pm Sat 6 Mar 10
You can`t just go making rules up as you need them . Nobody could foresee this happening .
Pinch Hitter, Bash says...
8:17am Mon 8 Mar 10
'It is against the spirit of the game to dispute an umpires decision by word action or gestute'
In this case the umpires made a decision that the conditions were fit for play.
In walking off and refusing to carry on they have disputed this decision by action and gesture.
Definite grounds for action under existing rules.
Stu Maher, GHCC says...
1:46pm Mon 8 Mar 10
UmpireTrell, Arrod says...
2:50pm Mon 8 Mar 10
rish, bash says...
3:12pm Mon 8 Mar 10
UmpireTrell wrote:there was no rule saying what punishment hence why they have now brought one in but it doesnt mean what was given was right or wrong as that will depend on individuals opinion but sorry no punishment then change and bring one in future is akin to horse amd bolted phrase isnt it??
Exactly Stu , I`m not saying what they did was right , obviously it wasn`t , but , at the time of the offence there was nothing in The League rules that said the punishment could be greater than the one handed out .
Toshy, Cherry Tree says...
4:31pm Mon 8 Mar 10
As for Dingle-Berry's comment regarding BN's players.... Cherry Tree welcome any new players, and additional competition for places is what every club wants. Several players have made the move up the road and enjoyed a great time with the club. However, I don't think it's right to think that we'll be stood outside Pleckgate Road handing out flyers in the same way a Double Glazing salesman would do in the middle of a town centre.
I like to think that the tradition of our club and it's success over the last 20 years or so (both senior and junior sections) has been down to the excellent resources we push into our Youth/Junior teams. This is down to the countless members/parents who give up their time to keep the club going. Without this, it would be nye on impossible.
This point was raised earlier regarding B.Northern and cited as a possible reason for their demise.
If B.Northern are serious about rebuilding, this is an absolute must. Not simply constructing a 'super team' that can dominate for a year or two. Other clubs have found this out to there cost also, but with far less dramatic consequences as the ones experienced at Pleckgate Road.
Anyway Rishy - what's fresh up there? Still looking strong for this season?
rish, bash says...
4:44pm Mon 8 Mar 10
Toshy wrote:tosh all the same up our way one change in personnel but a minor one so hoping for another good season ,should be a good season teams have strengthened from last year so weather permitting should be a good season for all shame that these issues crop up now and again
What's done is done regarding Blackburn Northern and their punishment specifically regarding the Baxenden game. But i can see where both sides are coming from regarding the League rules as they were, and the eventual ruling. As for Dingle-Berry's comment regarding BN's players.... Cherry Tree welcome any new players, and additional competition for places is what every club wants. Several players have made the move up the road and enjoyed a great time with the club. However, I don't think it's right to think that we'll be stood outside Pleckgate Road handing out flyers in the same way a Double Glazing salesman would do in the middle of a town centre. I like to think that the tradition of our club and it's success over the last 20 years or so (both senior and junior sections) has been down to the excellent resources we push into our Youth/Junior teams. This is down to the countless members/parents who give up their time to keep the club going. Without this, it would be nye on impossible. This point was raised earlier regarding B.Northern and cited as a possible reason for their demise. If B.Northern are serious about rebuilding, this is an absolute must. Not simply constructing a 'super team' that can dominate for a year or two. Other clubs have found this out to there cost also, but with far less dramatic consequences as the ones experienced at Pleckgate Road. Anyway Rishy - what's fresh up there? Still looking strong for this season?
Pinch Hitter, Bash says...
5:43pm Mon 8 Mar 10
Section 3
Sub Section (a)
Dissent by action or verbal - Suspension - MINIMUM period of 1 game.
Think walking off the field may just about constitute Dissent by action.
dingle-berry, says...
9:52pm Mon 8 Mar 10
on a different note is everyone backing bash to do the double?? and i hear barlick have been busy?? (ones to watch??)
UmpireTrell, Arrod says...
8:19am Tue 9 Mar 10
By the way if anyone wants an ump for friendlies let me know and if I`ve nowt on and I`m not travelling too far then I`ll do them .
rish, bash says...
2:06pm Tue 9 Mar 10
UmpireTrell wrote:were going cork on a tour trelly not to late for you to book on if you can manage it
Yeh , Dingle Berry I for one can`t wait for the new season . Only 6 weeks now, can`t wait for a bit of warm weather and some good cricket . By the way if anyone wants an ump for friendlies let me know and if I`ve nowt on and I`m not travelling too far then I`ll do them .
UmpireTrell, Arrod says...
3:30pm Tue 9 Mar 10
If you plan on doing it again pre-season 2011 let me know early enough and I might well be in .
rish, bash says...
3:38pm Tue 9 Mar 10
UmpireTrell wrote:could be lanzarote next year so bet you will be up for it
Mark , I`d love to , but one I can`t afford it and two I won`t be able to get time off work . If you plan on doing it again pre-season 2011 let me know early enough and I might well be in .
rish, bash says...
3:38pm Tue 9 Mar 10
UmpireTrell wrote:could be lanzarote next year so bet you will be up for it
Mark , I`d love to , but one I can`t afford it and two I won`t be able to get time off work . If you plan on doing it again pre-season 2011 let me know early enough and I might well be in .
UmpireTrell, Arrod says...
4:18pm Tue 9 Mar 10
I`d still expect my £30 match fee though . HA HA
fa, lancs says...
10:38pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Just to remind you Toshy, BNCC might not have junior section like your club but there club won the U15 and U18 title and they were on the right track after the troublesome years. Second point, good junior set up doesn’t always mean that you are producing good cricketer. I see that as child minding service for some club to generate extra money.
How many good young cricketer you have in this league?
(probably count on your finger tips).
BRIAN WOODHEAD
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Keith Myath, says...
8:58am Thu 4 Mar 10
.
I grew up living just across the road for the club. Before moving to the continent for my job, I spent many happy seasons playing cricket at the Northern. We were never world-beaters but it was a happy, multi-ethnic, family club, and I have wonderful memories of my time there.
.
Since then, the decline in sporting ethics and behaviour, induced largely by the changing make-up in the membership, have only brought shame on the club.
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I no longer recognize the club I used to belong to.
.
Totally unacceptable.