"MALLY"
NICHOLSON
Gordon Bowers
'Young Cricketer of the Year"

CRAIG
WISEMAN

CRAIG
THORNTON

TOM PRINGLE
Ernest Lodge Trophy
Young Spinner of the Year

IAN
NICHOLSON

Right hand batsman and medium fast bowler John Wood is now in his fourth season as the captain of Cleckheaton Cricket Club and is arguably one of the most influential the Moorend outfit has acquired in the clubs recent history. The on-field exploits of the Wakefield-born captain has been consistent but his captaincy, man management skills and overall contribution to the club off-the-field has been exceptional. John has grasped the nettle in fine style and the respect he commands has enabled the club to make giant leaps forward during the last couple of seasons. The 'Skip' made his championship debut for Durham in 1992 and has also had a spell in South Africa playing for Griqualand West in addition to making his mark as an all-rounder for Lancashire. Indeed, John took the helm at the club from another former Lancashire hero Ian Austin having previously played for near-neighbours Spen Victoria. However, the club has benefited enormously from a man who not only possesses ability as a cricketer but the family-man values that has made him respected by the rest of what is a largely young squad of players.

Vice-captain Craig Thornton is something of an un-sung hero. An intelligent cricketer who goes about his business in an unfussy but professional manner. He rarely grabs the headlines but is Mr Consistency and is probably the best fielder the club has. Craig has taken some amazing catches with those huge hands he possesses and is a confidante of the captain John Wood. A school teacher by profession and another player who's from a solid background that gives the club stability.

Last season's overseas man Mohammad Zaman is now qualified to play as a British player, and although disappointed by his batting performances last season stays for a further year. He is convinced that he won't disappoint again. His track record in English league cricket speaks for itself. The right handed batsman, and off-spin bowler, spent 2005 and 2006 as Littleborough's professional in the Central Lancashire League. Prior to this he turned out with Driffield in the Yorkshire Premier League. In his last season with Littleborough he scored 987 runs, but had completed 1000 runs in each of his previous five seasons. His first two seasons in England were spent with Brandesburton in the NPI East Yorkshire Cricket Alliance League where his run tallies were 1421 and 1317; and between scoring 2738 runs managed to capture 138 wickets. He is more than a useful off-spinner and has been described by the captain as a bowler who knows what the batsman's going to do before he does. A very calculating player, his no-nonsense approach makes him indeed "a class act".

Ian Wood is a genuine all-rounder and of course the skipper's brother whom he played alongside at Spen Victoria. Ian is yet another consistent performer with a steely determination hidden beneath a pleasant exterior. A prime example was a game at Bowling Old Lane last season in a league match Cleck' looked to be losing but six maiden over's from Ian changed the whole complexion of the game.

Tom Pringle is a young leg-spinner who is going from strength to strength. Tom is fresh from a winter in Sri Lanka after touring with the Leeds and Bradford Universities where he showed his potential. He is also a useful batsman and a player with a very bright future and it has to be said rejected offers from several other Bradford League clubs to stay at Moorend.

Similar could be said of opening fast bowlers Ian Wardlaw and Craig Wiseman. These two work in tandem and have carved out a good reputation for themselves and look to be the scourge of opposing batsmen. 'Wardy' joined us from second division Hartshead Moor and in his first season quickly established himself. Craig will always be knows as 'Wisey's' son referring of course to the Bradford League umpire and former Windhill hell-raiser Paul Wiseman! However, Craig is his own man but has in-built some of his dad's fire-in-the-belly, which can only be a good thing for Cleckheaton.

Neil Nicholson has arrived from relegated Idle during the winter to play alongside his talented sons Ian and Michael. 'Nico' senior will shore up the middle order and the former Yorkshire and East Bierley opening batsman is sure to be impressed by his talented off-spring. There is a lot more to come from the enigmatic Ian who is potentially one of the best batsman in the first division while his wicket-keeping brother 'Mally' proved last term he was the best taking 34 catches and 14 stumpings leaving him way out in front of second placed Lee Goddard from East Bierley.
New overseas opening batsman Louis Aspeling has arrived from Scholes and the South African looks as though he is going to be a real 'snip' after scoring a confident 36 runs on his Cleckheaton debut at Brighouse. Louis has also played for Warwicks second team and his assured and professional persona will serve the club well.

On the fringes of the first team are twins Eddie and Marcus Walmsley, two 16 year olds with the world at their feet. Both bat and bowl with ultra confidence and they have stepped in to the first team breach without any problems. Watch out for these two they have a very bright cricketing future.

John, who is eagerly looking forward to the 2008 season after the team's undoubted successes last term, feels that finishing fourth in the league and reaching the Priestley Cup Final for the first time is just the beginning for the current side which he confidently expects will soon win a trophy. He hopes to retain his promising youngsters for seasons to come whilst being in a position to welcome some of the club's crop of quality juniors into the senior side.

!! This season could be one to remember !!

Some of the photographs above have been reproduced by kind permission of the Bradford Cricket League.
Photos of Louis Aspeling & Mohammad Zaman are reproduced by kind permission of Gary Coyle.

IAN WOOD

NEIL
NICHOLSON

IAIN
WARDLAW

LOUIS
ASPELING

MOHAMMAD
ZAMAN