Cricketers take on footballers! (From Wirral Globe)

Cricketers take on footballers!

4:29pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008

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TWO of Wirral's oldest sports clubs are coming together for a challenge match in aid of a local charity.

Cammell Laird Football Club have thrown down the gauntlet to Birkenhead Park Cricket Club and the two clubs are staging a family fun day at the cricket club's home in Birkenhead Park.

The event, to be staged on Sunday, August 3, will feature a limited over cricket match between Park and Lairds and will have a host of other attractions for all the family, including barbeque, face painting and a roaming magician.

In the run-up to the event, a Wirral-wide raffle will be taking place giving people the chance to win a host of superb prizes donated by local companies. The draw will take place after the cricket match. Tickets can be obtained from either of the participating clubs. Proceeds from the free event will raise valuable funds for the Wirral branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, which will have an awareness stall on the day.

Park captain Andy Gibson said: "We are looking forward to the day and hope to teach Lairds a thing or two about cricket - they may have had an amazing rise up the leagues in the football world but this is cricket and let's see how they do at the crease against us!"

Lairds spokesman Ian Thelwell was unfazed by Andy's comments, saying: "We may have some tricks up our sleeve that Park won't be expecting - a couple of our players are PE teachers and so will have pulled on the white flannels in their time. I'm sure we'll have a great day out and all in a good cause.

"Hopefully, we can make it an annual event and if we get hammered on the cricket field we can always invite Park over to Kirklands for a game of football!"

Meanwhile, Lairds, just promoted to the Unibond League Premier Division, have another accolade to celebrate - the club's matchday magazine has been voted the best in all of the three UniBond leagues in the National Programme Monthly & Football Collectable annual awards.

Lairds' effort amassed a total of 378 points compared to runners-up Retford United, also from Division One South, who received 322. Both clubs surpassed the best in the UniBond Premier Division, which was Hednesford Town with a score of 308.

Nationally, Lairds came 19th out of all non-league clubs from the Blue Square Conference and below!

Lairds programme editor Paul Mcloughlin was pleased that his effort came top for the second year in a row. "It can be a nightmare putting the programme together, especially if you have a cup replay or Tuesday match after a Saturday home fixture," he said.

"An award like this is quite special and shows the lads on the pitch that, behind the scenes, activities at Lairds are keeping pace with their success."

To keep up-to-date with close season news from Lairds log on to www.nonleaguezone.com

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