Archived News Items - 2010:

1. October entertainment
   
   
   
   
2. Leek CC and Staffordshire Moorlands CC merge:
   Following a series of meetings between the executive committee members of Leek and Staffordshire Moorlands cricket club over the close season, we are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached for the two clubs to merge for the coming 2010 season. See press release below for full details:
   
   
   
3. One to One coaching is available to all LCC players both Junior and Senior alike throughout the season.
   This coaching can be arranged on a one to one basis or a small group basis.The following coaches are available:

   Dave Ferris - ECB Level 3. Contact number 07971984064. £30 per hour.
   Alex Mellor - UKCC Level 2. Contact number 07881697833. £15 per hour.       
   Matty Bayley - UKCC Level 2. Contact number 07855680543. £15 per hour.
   See coaching section for further details.

4. Leek CC Sporting Dinner evening - Friday 6th August 2010
   
   
   Please call 07775 620809 for more information
   
   
5. Leek CC Summer Camp - Monday 2nd Aug - Friday 6th August
   
   
   
   
6. Leek CC Quick Shield - Friday 30th July
   
7. League Twenty20 cup - Leek 1st XI play Cheadle & Stone on Sunday 18th July. Home team is Cheadle & first game commences at 11AM
8. Hassell Trophy Final - Leek & Moorlands 2nd XI will play away to Norton in Hales on Sunday 18th July. Wickets pitched 2PM.
9. Both Alex Mellor & Alex Thompson have been placed on the list from which the teams to play for the NSSC League Development XI will be selected, the games are;
   Thursday 1st July V Derbyshire at Hem Heath CC
   Tuesday 6th July V Yorkshire at Rotherham Town CC
   Sunday 11th July V Worcestershire at Stone CC
   All games start at 11AM
10. Leek CC Race night - Saturday 3rd July 2010
    
    
    Racecards available from captains at £1 each including free raffle. Own a horse for £3 or be a jockey for £3.
    £15 to winning owner and £15 to winning jockey.
    
    
11. Leek have entered the Andrew Knighton Cup, now in its eighth year, the touranment has produced some great cricket. First round matches to be played by the end of May. The Staffordshire Newsletter are once again kindly sponsoring the tournament.
    Please find full draw details under fixture section.
12. Note Fixtures have been brought forward on Saturday 12th June to enable players & spectators to watch Englands first World Cup football match against USA on Saturday evening.
    Leek 1st XI fixture starts at 12 Noon & 2nd XI fixture starts at 12.30PM while Leek & Moorlands 1st & 2nd XI fixtures start times are 1PM.
13. Leek U17 team play Oulton away on Tuesday 1st June 2010 in the 1st Rd of the Kidsgrove League KO Cup. Pickets pitched 6.30PM.
14. Leek under 17s are playing at Highfield against Ashcombe Park in the preliminary round of the Kidsgrove League Knock Out on Thursday 13th May. Wickets pitched 6.15PM.
15. Derbyshire Falcons v Essex Eagles at Leek Cricket Club - Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May, 1.45pm - Press release update.
    
16. Bank Holiday Monday May 3rd sees Leek Cricket Club host the Pro 40 League game between Derbyshire and Essex with a 1.45pm start. Please see attached press release below giving details of corporate hospitality and ticket pricing etc.,
    
17. Derbyshire first team cricket is returning to Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands after a gap of almost two decades.
    The Falcons’ ECB 40 match against Essex on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May will be played at Leek Cricket Club – 18 years on from Derbyshire’s last List A match at Highfield, ironically against the same opponents.The match will begin at 1.45pm and entry on the gate will be priced at £15 Adults, £8 Juniors.
    Reduced prices are available by purchasing in advance of the day of the game and Juniors can secure free entry by becoming a Junior Falcons member free of charge.
    Membership of the Junior Falcons is free and will entitle the holder to free entry at all Derbyshire home cricket in 2010.

    Call the ticket hotline on 01332 388 101 for more information on how to become a Junior Falcons member.

    For further information contact Tom Holdcroft on 01332 388 125, 07768 552 667 or tom.holdcroft@derbyshireccc.com
    See pdf file below for full press release details;
    

18. Please see below 2010 transfer list
    
19. Senior net sessions arranged at Brough Park from Sunday 7th February 2010 to Sunday 11th April 2010. Time 5pm - 7pm.
20. Leek are to play a pre season friendly on Saturday 10th April away to last years Premier League Champions Longton. Wickets pitched at 11.30am. See team selection section for squad information.
21. Abba tribute night is to take place on Friday 9th April at the Clubhouse with tickets costing £5 available from Committee members.
    
    
    
22. Players meeting will be held on Thursday 8th April in the Clubhouse at 8PM for all players representing the Senior teams.
23. First Aid Course at the Club on Monday 29th March 6pm start.To reserve a place contact Malcolm Rushton 01538 385941.
24. Junior net sessions arranged at Leek High School commence again in New Year from Saturday 30th January 2010 until Saturday 27th March 2010.
    Time for all junior net sessions is 09.30 - 11.30.
25. CF Sports cricket kit sale on Thursday 18th March in the Clubhouse from 6PM. See attached for full details.
    
26. Reminder Annual General Meeting at the clubhouse scheduled for Monday 22nd February 2010 at 8pm.
27. A special meeting of the North Staffs & South Cheshire League agreed start times for all first and second-team matches be brought forward by half-an-hour to counter the current loss of seven overs immediately a match is interrupted by bad weather. See fixture section for 1st XI and 2nd XI revised start times.
28. Brian Mellor emphasised evolution over revolution as he awaits confirmation of the appointment as new captain of Leek CC. The veteran cricketer, who is also the club chairman, will be announced if the decision is ratified at the AGM on February 22nd, although that is likely to be a mere formality as Mellor, who also captained the team in the 1990s, has official backing.
    The club, who lost a lot of their key players last year, were unable to avoid relegation from the NSSC Premier League last season, and while many people will be expecting the club to bounce straight back, Mellor knows it will not be that easy.
    He said " it'll be very difficult, and we just want to make sure we are competitive at the top end of the table. We know it's a difficult league we're going into and we just need a period of stability. There's a need to stabilise the ship and make sure we bounce back. It's just a short term appointment."
    The club relied heavily on young players last season, and they will be doing that again this summer, with the likes of Rory Bailey, Dan Ball, Alex Thomson and Brian's sons Ollie and Alex Mellor looking to step up a level. Brian Mellor said " we will be looking to the young players this season, and the juniors are all 12 months older now."
    The club were keen not to lay any blame at the foot of former captain Jamie Cullerton. Rather, Leek's problems with professionals was given as one of the primary reasons for their relegation.
    Cullerton, who declined to comment on the captaincy change, may look for a new club this summer, although Mellor said: "I'm not too sure what Jamie Cullerton's plans are, he's been away in Australia. There have been no new faces in and no-one else has left the club, so at the moment it's the same status quo."
    Left arm spinner Mo Hussain has been brought in for the coming season, and the club hope the 33 year old former Pakistan test cricketer will bring some stability and experience to Highfield.
29. The Leek CC club shop is now open to view without registration - just follow CF Sports "sign in" link under Merchandise section.
30. Second Coach the Coaches session to be held Thursday 21st January 2010.
    This second session will be held at St Edwards Middle School on the above date between 7-9pm. New coach Dave Ferris will again run the course concentrating on bowling and fielding. A small charge of £5 per delegate will be made.
    The Course is open to all LCC members, players and managers who are currently involved in running the Junior section at Leek Cricket Club or who wish to become involved next season. Numbers will be restricted to ensure the quality of the event so to reserve a place please contact Brian Mellor on 07866 415523.
31. New coach Dave Ferris, ECB level three qualified, aged 35, has been brought in on a three year contract and will have responsibility for the junior development and also supervise the seniors' pre-season training.
    Dave previously enjoyed remarkable success over a sustained period at Porthill CC in his role of head coach and club development manager with for example, the U17 team in 2009 alone, completing the treble of winning their Kidsgrove League section, League Cup and Noel Banks trophy.
    Club Chairman Brian Mellor believes Dave will make a big impact at the club and wider area, being good for the community, schools and cricket development. It will also be good for the other Leek coaches to be able to work with him.
    It is hoped this appointment enables Leek to keep their talented juniors and attract additional quality youngsters going forward.
32. Leek sign Mo Hussain has professional for 2010 season (see professional section for further details)