LIVERPOOL ECHO CUP and FIXTURE CONGESTION

Date: 10th August 2023

A Statement

We believe it is appropriate to comment and clarify the League’s position in relation to the scheduling of cup matches still to take place (quarter, semi and finals) in the nine cup competitions managed by the League.

In particular we refer to the position facing Northern Cricket Club with their involvement, through their success, in four competitions, the ECB Vitality T20, the Lancashire KO Cup, the Ray Digman Cup, and the Liverpool Echo Cup. Games in some of these competitions have been delayed by a combination of clashing dates and the dreadful recent weather. In addition the club were successfully progressing in the National ECB KO competition, where it is our view that unhelpful positions adopted by other parties, ultimately led to their exit.

We fully understand Northern’s frustration and disappointment expressed in their recent statement but thoroughly commend and thank them in taking a decision to withdraw from the Echo Cup, allowing a four team finals day to go ahead as planned. For this we are extremely grateful.

The decision to go ahead with the planned Echo Finals day took into account the preparations already made by the host club Upton and the arrangements made by the other two finalists already through. To seek to rearrange it at this late stage would have been incredibly difficult for all concerned, particularly not knowing Northern’s further progress in the other competitions in which they were competing and would have had significant implications for the other three teams.

We deeply regret the situation but ultimately believe we had no other choice.

For many reasons, including the weather, this has been a difficult and hugely time consuming season for what is essentially a new committee, administering an ECB Premier League now with 52 clubs together with our vibrant Junior and Women’s and Girls sections. We are doing our best.

Finally we wish Northern CC every success in the ECB Regional t20 finals at Bradshaw on Sunday and hope that Upton, Neston, Newton Le Willows and Birkenhead Park have an enjoyable and rewarding day competing for the Liverpool Echo Cup.

Eddie Shiff John Williams Rob Durand Peter Fleetwood Jim Hathaway

Liverpool and District Cricket Competition Executive Management Committee

10 August 2023