Norden are delighted to announce the appointment of Lee Crabtree as 1st XI captain for the 2025 season. Lee steps up from vice-captain and will lead a team that will see some new faces as The Stags look to push for a first Lancashire League trophy. Dom Humphries will be the new vice-captain. Lee has said ‘I am delighted to have been made captain for 2025. I think we can push for a trophy, particularly in the cup competitions.’
Greg Butterworth and Josh Tolley have moved on to pastures new, and Scott Butterworth will be scaling back his playing commitments to focus on his young family. Greg has taken up the opportunity to become the professional at Heywood in the GMCL and Josh will be playing for Euxton in the Palace Shield. Both played key roles in the 2019 LCF Knockout win and there is no doubt that they are two of the best amateur cricketers to have played for the club. They both leave with the club’s thanks and best wishes.
Josh joined Norden in 2017 with a reputation as one of the region’s best amateur batters. He leaves with that reputation well and truly intact as he amassed over 7,500 runs in his 7 full seasons at Stag Park. Of his 13 centuries, his 177 in the tied game at home to Walsden perhaps stands out as he almost single-handedly got Norden up to a chase of 293.
Greg has captained the side for the last two years, and led the team to two cup semi-finals. His all-round ability saw him score just under 3,000 runs and take 350 wickets in his 8 years in a Norden shirt, as well as taking an impressive 85 catches.
News of a new professional is imminent and it promises to be an exciting new dawn at Stag Park in 2025.
All players are reminded that winter nets start at PA Cricket in Bury on the 22nd of February.