By Paul Edwards
Lancashire’s Director of Cricket, Mark Chilton, has reiterated the county’s commitment to playing at Southport even though the town is not hosting a championship match next year.
Keaton Jennings’ side will not be visiting Trafalgar Road for any men’s first team games in 2025.
Instead, they will play six of their seven home four-day matches at Emirates Old Trafford and the other – against Kent in late June – at Blackpool.
Liverpool will stage two of Lancashire’s four home Metro Bank One Day Cup matches and Sedbergh will host another.
All seven of Lancashire’s home games in the T20 Blast will be played at Old Trafford.
However, Chilton was quick to insist that Trafalgar Road still has an important role to play in the county’s plans for next season and he also acknowledged the assistance Southport and Birkdale’s members have given Lancashire in recent seasons.
“Despite the fact that we won’t be staging a men’s first-team fixture at Trafalgar Road during the 2025 season, I would like to reassure our members and supporters that we maintain a positive working relationship with Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club,” he said.
“Lancashire’s women’s team will be playing two Metro Bank One-Day Cup matches in Southport during April and May, with the men’s second XI also set to play fixtures there during the 2025 season once the schedule has been finalised in the coming weeks.
“In addition to this, Southport have always been extremely accommodating in helping us to host our age group fixtures. We thank them for their continuing support and look forward to continuing that next season.
“Given the number of top-class outgrounds available to us across Lancashire, somebody is always going to be left disappointed, but Trafalgar Road is a venue where we love to play and we hope to return in the future for men’s first team matches.”
The news that S&B will not host Championship cricket has come as a blow to S&BCC officials but the chairman, Jordan Bell, has responded to Chilton’s statement by stressing his club’s willingness to help Lancashire in whatever way it can.
“We are disappointed not to be hosting a first-class fixture at Trafalgar Road this year.
“Not only are these matches great events, but they are a big revenue stream for the club and they bring many people into Southport to support local businesses. We hope to host more first-class fixtures in the future but in the meantime we will support Lancashire with hosting second XI, women’s and age-group matches during the 2025 season.”
- The Lancashire Cricket Foundation is again funding walking cricket sessions, at Dunes Leisure Centre in Southport, this Autumn/Winter. Aimed at the Over 50s, the 1 hour sessions run from 10am on Thursday mornings, are free of charge and open to all comers. It promises to be great fun, all kit is provided and anyone interested should just go along to Dunes, on Victoria Way, for a 10am start.
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