Church & Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club & Social Club

Church & Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club & Social Club, located in Accrington, is a well-established and highly regarded cricket club that holds a prominent position in the local community. With a rich history dating back to its formation in the mid-20th century, the Club has fostered a strong sense of camaraderie, sporting excellence, and community engagement.

The Club is deeply saddened by the recent passing of its longstanding member, Geoff Briggs, who contributed significantly to the success and growth of the Club. Geoff, who played 253 matches for Church between 1956 and 1975, was known for his remarkable cricketing skills, having scored 2,215 runs with a highest score of precisely 100. Not only was he a valuable player, but he also served on the club committee and generously contributed to the renovation of the club scorebox. A memorial service to celebrate Geoff's life will be held at Accrington Crematorium following a cortege from Church CC.

The Annual General Meeting, scheduled to take place on 22nd February 2024 at 7:15pm, provides an excellent opportunity for all members to participate and contribute to the Club's decision-making process. All members are warmly invited to join the meeting and share their ideas, opinions, and aspirations for the future of the Club.

The Club is grateful for the unwavering support of its sponsors, whose generosity has enabled the Club to sustain and improve its facilities. The club is always open to exploring new sponsorship opportunities and encourages interested businesses to reach out for further discussion.

In exciting news, Church & Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club welcomes Pakistan Test cricketer Asad Shafiq as Professional for the 2023 season. Asad's illustrious career includes 77 Test Matches, making him the most capped international player to have represented the Club. Known for his impressive batting and off-break bowling abilities, he holds the record for the most Test hundreds whilst batting at number 6. The club expresses gratitude to Abid Riaz at PA Sports for facilitating this signing.

The Club deeply regrets the unavailability of its previously announced professional, Sonal Dinusha, for the 2023 season. Despite this setback, the Club remains committed to providing an exceptional cricketing experience for its members and supporters.

The Club is saddened to announce the passing of Derek Pilkington, a cherished friend and former President. Derek's unwavering support for the Club, both on and off the field, left a lasting impact on the organisation and its members. His presence at matches, both home and away, will be sorely missed. The Club extends its heartfelt condolences to Derek's family during this difficult time.

To facilitate ease of payments, the Club offers online payment options for Membership, Lottery, and Ball Sponsorship through their designated 'Crowdfunder' link. Membership fees remain unchanged from the previous year, and any queries or assistance regarding payments can be directed to Andrew Bentley.

Exciting news awaits the members with the introduction of a new kit for the 2023 season. All teams will be sporting this new kit, with the range available for purchase at the Club shop. Members interested in ordering through the club's bulk order should contact Andrew Bentley promptly.

The Annual General Meeting is a crucial event in the Club's calendar and offers members an opportunity to have their voices heard. Scheduled for 23rd February 2023 at 7:15pm, the meeting will take place at the Clubhouse and promises to be a forum for fruitful discussions and shared aspirations for the Club's future.

Stay connected and receive timely updates by following the Club's Twitter account, @churchcricket. For further details, information, or inquiries, the Club can be contacted directly using the provided contact information.