Our History
Our Guest Speakers
1972 - 1973 Season
The Fylde Coast Cricket Society held it's first meeting on November 8th 1972 and the guest speaker on this occassion was Donald Wilson of Yorkshire CCC and England. In fact Don was to return to the Society on 3rd Novmber 1978 and again on 7th December 1995. Don assisited Society Speaker Secretary Doug Wilks in providing coaching for his juniors from St Annes and the Fylde at Ampleforth College until ill health forced him into retirement.
The second meeting was held on 6th December 1972 and the guest speaker on this occassion was local cricketer Alan Wharton of Lancashire, Leicestershire, the MCC and England. Like Don Wilson, Alan was to make a couple of further appearances, the second being on the 27th February 1975 and his final appearance at the dinner of the 23rd January 1985. Alan sadly passed away on 26th August 1993.
The third guest speaker at the meeting held on 19th January 1973 was Nico Craven who is a sports historian and writer who continues to write books on cricket and rugby.
Don Mosey the renowned journalist and BBC radio producer was the speaker for the fourth meeting held on 16th February 1973. Don Mosey who frequently styled himself the "Cock o' the North" - a seemingly apt title during his 20 years as BBC Radio Outside Broadcasts producer in the North of England in later years went on to commentate on Test Match Special alongside Brian Johnston.
The final speaker of the first season of meetings was Arthur Booth of Yorkshire CCC.
1973 - 1974 Season
The second season of meetings, that got under way on 24th October 1973, saw the first female guest speaker in Rachael Heyhoe Flint MBE who at the time was the captain of the victorious England Ladies team who had just won the inaugural Ladies cricket world cup. It was not until 2006 that the Society welcomed another female cricketer in the form of Claire Taylor in March of that year.
Eighty year old veteran Jack Mercer of Sussex, Glamorgan, Northants, the MCC and Wales was the speaker at the meeting held on 21st of November 1973. Jack who passed away in August 1987 appears to have considered himself to have been a bit of a journeyman signing the visitors book with his list of teams that he had represented and adding "Uncle Tom Cobley & All".
Sir Geoffrey Boycott (Yorkshire and England) made the first of two appearances at the Society dinners on 7th Decmber 1973. At the time of the meeting Geoffrey was in the middle of a self imposed exile from the England side after failing to gain the captaincy of the side after Ray Illingworth departed to be replaced by Mike Denness. Never afraid to express his opinions I am sure that the evening would not have been without incident but his charm would have earned him a few more friends too.
As Lancashire captain, David Lloyd made his first appearance at the Society dinner on 16th January 1974. Later that year David went on make his test match debut against India. David Lloyd never realised his full cricketing potential and after his cricket career was over he went on to become a first class umpire and in a spell from 1996 - 1999 the England coach. David Lloyd is currently working as a commentator for Sky television.
The dinner held on 15th February 1974 saw Blackpool cricketer M. W. Garside and on 20th March 1974 international and cup final referee Deryk S Brown was the Society's guest.
More guest speakers from 1974 -1976
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