Formby & District Bowling League

Formby League:
2023 CALENDAR
RULES for 2023
Quick guide to RESULTS ENTRY
Detailed guide to RESULTS ENTRY
PLAYING TWICE RULE
Averages
Division 1
Division 2
Green Finder
Arcari cup
Butterworth Shield

Archival:
2023 Honours
Honours List from 1933
1934 Formby League Winner's Medal Photo
Season Archives from 2012 onwards
The 1933 race for honours

Local:
Merseyside BCGBA
Aughton League
Birkenhead Bowls
Bootle Vets
Burscough League
Garston & Aigburth Leagues
Maghull League
Ormskirk League
Silver Bullet Bowls
Southport Ladies League
Southport L V league
Southport Parks League
Southport Vets
Westhead League

National:
BCGBA
BCGBA Membership Form
Federation

Admin:
BCGBA player membership application form
League admin

WELCOME TO THE FORMBY & DISTRICT BOWLING LEAGUE WEBSITE

The Formby & District Bowling League normally run two divisions, playing on Wednesday evenings. Please scroll down for news and notices. 

COMMITTEE

President: vacant

Chairman: Dave Butterworth

Secretary: Ken Buckley 01704 872834 

Treasurer: Colin Parry 

Assistant Secretary: Rob Doyle

County Delegate: David Halewood

AGM in January 2024

This will be held on Monday 15th January 2024, 8.00pm at the Brownmoor Brooke Bowling Club. Any proposals for changes to our rules should be submitted to the League Secretary by Monday December 6th (42 days befroe the AGM).

BUTTERWORTH SHIELD FINAL

SCARISBRICK NSC v SEFTON & THORNTON A

Congratulations to the winners Scarisbrick NSC and thanks to Freshfield for hosting the final.

ARCARI CUP FINAL

BROWNMOOR BROOKE A v FORMBY VILLAGE A 

Congratulations to the winners Brownmoor Brooke A and thanks to Scarisbrick NSC for hosting the final.

BCGBA FEES INCREASE

From the 1 May 2023 the fee for a new member has been increased from £12 to £15 and the fee for a Replacement Card has been increased from £4 to £5.

1934 LEAGUE WINNERS MEDAL

We have received a photo of a 1934 league winners medal awarded to a bowler at the Grapes Hotel. Scroll down for more detail, or click on the link on this home page under the Archival heading.

BROWNMOOR BROOKE A CAPTAIN

Please note that Andy Howie replaces Mike Craggs as the Brownmoor Brooke A captain.

11/5/2023

WALNUT CAPTAIN

Please note that John O'Connor has taken over the captaincy, in place of Gordon Hodgson. John's phone number will be on the latest fixture cards issued.

11/3/2023

2023 FIXTURES

League and cup fixtures are now on our web site.

Players’ lists from 2022 have been copied into the 2023 lists, amended where I have been told so far. Please check  updated OK and send me any more updates, including BCGBA numbers, when you have them. New players can be registered up to 31st July.

Captains and secretaries were sent in February, by email, a copy of the  fixture card in the traditional format. Note that since then, I have been informed that the Walnut captain is now John O'Connor, and I have now sent out by email a revised card with John's phone number on it. If any captains want a full set (say 15 copies) of fixtures printing for their team, please let me know before the Registration Meeting.

KB 23/3/2023

The Formby League AGM was held on Monday 16^th January 2023.

Summary of key points from the AGM 

• ·         All 21 teams playing in 2022 will continue in 2023.
• ·         In addition, Scarisbrick NSC were unanimously accepted as a new team into our league, and are welcomed.
• ·         In 2023, division 1 will continue with 10 teams, and division 2 will now have 12 teams.
• ·         Fees for the 2023 season were set at £45 per team.
• ·         For those clubs with Endsleigh insurance, a reminder it was due on 1^st January.
• ·         The playing twice in a match rule as operated in 2022 is to continue in 2023.
• ·         A number of other rule changes of an administrative nature were agreed. The related  updated set of rules is now on this web site.
• ·         Colin Parry was formally voted in as our Treasurer, and Rob Doyle was voted on to our Exec Committee.

PS. Please let me know of any changes to club captains/secretaries.

Ken Buckley, 18/1/2023

1934 FORMBY LEAGUE WINNER'S MEDAL PHOTO

BCGBA MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Playing Twice rule

Match Scores Entry quick guide

2023 CALENDAR

RULES FOR 2023

2023 ROLL OF HONOUR

SAFEGUARDING

The 1933 Race for Honours

LEAGUE HISTORY

1934 FORMBY LEAGUE WINNER'S MEDAL PHOTO

We have received a photo of a 1934 Formby and District league winner’s medal awarded to a Thomas Lovelady of the Grapes Hotel. These two relevant extracts have been found in the Formby Times archives.

at August 3rd. FORMBY TRINITY v. GRAPES HOTEL. 21 F. Stephenson 21 T. H. Harsh H. Bannister 12 121 A. Kirby T. Lovelady 10 1 17 E. Meadow 3 W. Thomas J. Bailey 21 21 11. Palmer A. Rotherham — Miles Pormbi 21 C. M. Sole 20 It : Hrnward ...

Published: Saturday 11 August 1934

Newspaper: Formby Times

3rd September. Three of the teams on Wednesday had a great bearing the championshdp, and the result of these matches the Grapes hotel now lead by :two points. with only one match to play to complete the programme and that a home one against the Railway ...

Published: Saturday 01 September 1934
Newspaper: Formby Times

In fact, the Bristish Newspaper Archive web site https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ has many past years’ archives for the Formby Times on line, with bowling results included, as they were until the early 2000s. Extracts such as the above can be freely found with the relevant search parameters.

BCGBA MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Requests for membership cards must be accompanied by a BCGBA Membership Form.  (Follow the links on http://merseysidebowls.co.uk/)

The current fee for a BCGBA Membership Cards is now £15 (£5 for replacement cards) and all cheques must be made payable to Merseyside County CGBA.

Send to: Kye Gorman, Acting County Registrar, 94 Fishers Lane, Pensby, Wirral, CH61 8SB

Playing Twice rule

Rule 23 (b) For league matches only, if a team is short of players in a league match, up to two bowlers may play twice. The choice of bowler(s) is up to the captain of the team which is short of players. However, any given bowler can only play once in each half of the league season (so twice overall per season). For his/her second game in a match, a home player forfeits 5 chalks per game, an away player loses 3 chalks. Only the first game played by a bowler in a match counts towards the Player Averages. A player cannot play twice in a cup game.

This rule is only for teams genuinely short of players and is not be abused by a team to gain an advantage. To maintain continuous play, players playing twice should first play in the first five blocks

Match Scores Entry quick guide

To enter match results

·         Results may be entered by team captains or their representatives.

·         Go to the Formby League web site home page https://www.cgleague.co.uk/formby/

·         Click on the TABLES heading.

·         In the league tables displayed, click on your team or your opponent’s team.

·         Click on today’s fixture and you should see the fixture heading displayed.

·         Click on the EDIT MATCH heading near the top of the screen.

·         Now log in with your club User Name and Password, ensuring you have the correct capitals and spacing.

·         Enter the match individual players and scores by selecting from the drop down menus of players and scores displayed.

·         Results can be entered or amended up to 7 days after a match, otherwise only the league secretary can enter/amend.

2023 CALENDAR

                 2023 CALENDAR  

                    Div 1                          Div 2               

5^h April      Open date                           League week 1

12^h April     League week 1                    League week 2 

19^th April    League week 2                    League week 3

26^th April    League week 3                    League week 4

3^rd  May    League week 4                    League week 5

10^th May    Arcari Cup prelims               League week 6

17^th May    League week 5                    League week 7

24^th  May   League week 6                    League week 8

31^st May    League week 7                    League week 9

7^th June     League week 8                    League week 10

14^th June   League week 9                    League week 11

21^st June   League week 10 (rev 1)          League week 12 (rev 1)   

28^th June   Arcari Cup 1^st round (QFs)     League week 13 (rev 2)

 5^th July     League week 11 (rev 2)        League week 14 (rev 3)     

12^th July    League week 12 (rev 3)        League week 15 (rev 4)

19^th July    League week 13 (rev 4)        League week 16 (rev 5)

26^th July    Arcari Cup SFs                     League week 17 (rev 6)

2^nd Aug      League week 14 (rev 5)        League week 18 (rev 7)

9^th Aug      League week 15 (rev 6)        League week 19 (rev 8)

16^th Aug    League week 16 (rev 7)        League week 20 (rev 9)

23^rdAug     League week 17 (rev 8)        League week 21 (rev 10)

30^th Aug    League week 18 (rev 9)        League week 22 (rev 11)

6^th Sep      Arrcari Cup Final                Butterworth Shield Prelim

13^th Sep                                             Butterworth Shield QFs

20^thSep                                              Butterworth Shield SFs

27^th Sep                                             Butterworth Shield Final

Jan 2024   AGM

RULES FOR 2023

FORMBY AND DISTRICT BOWLING LEAGUE

At the January 2023 AGM, changes of an administrative nature were made to rules 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 19, 22, 24, 30, Player of Year and Cup Rules, as underlined.

The Playing twice rule, as implemented in the Formby League, is shown under Rule 23(a).

CONSTITUTION AND RULES JANUARY 2023

            ADMIN

1. The League is called ‘’Formby & District Bowling League, and is open to Male and Female members. 

2. The objects of the League shall be to organise, encourage and develop the Game of Bowls in the Formby and District, and to play in conformity with the Laws of the Game as set out by the British Crown Green Bowling Association.

3. The headquarters of the League shall be the Brownmoor Brooke Bowling Club, Crosby.

4. The Officials of the League shall consist of a President, Chairman, Secretary, Fixture/Competition Secretary, Treasurer and County Delegate, who will form the Executive Committee. The said Committee shall have the right to make those decisions necessary for the efficient running of the League, subject to the right of the Management Committee to over-rule by a simple majority any such decision. Any decision reached by the Executive Committee shall be subject to the right of any Club or Club Member to appeal, for a decision of the full Management Committee. Any appeal must be sent in writing to the League Secretary, to be received within 14 days of the decision reached by the Executive Committee, when such an appeal shall be put before the full Management Committee as soon as possible, whose decision shall be final. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt as it deems necessary.

5. The Executive Committee together with two Delegates from each Club will form the Management Committee. The Executive Committee will call for meetings of the Management Committee as occasion demands. Any Club not represented may be fined by the Management Committee, no Club shall be allowed to attend any meetings unless all due fees are paid. A quorum shall consist of four of the Executive Committee members.

6. The Formby & District Bowling League shall operate one Bowling League, all games scheduled for Wednesday evenings, consisting of Divisions containing a maximum of 12 teams per Division.

7. The number of Clubs that the League shall consist of will be at the discretion of the Management Committee. A Club desirous of becoming Affiliated with the League must be Proposed, Seconded and accepted by a majority of the League Management Committee. A Club shall not be accepted into the League unless in possession of a green upon which to play their Home games. All Clubs must notify the League Secretary not later than the AGM, or 15 January of how many teams they will be entering in the League.

8. Facilities shall also be given to the League Secretary to attend various Club Headquarters and Greens, when engaged on League Business.

9. All Monies must be paid to the Treasurer, who will pay all accounts, any monies received by any other League Official must be handed to the Treasurer who shall Bank all monies in the name of the League. No liability exceeding £10 shall be undertaken without the sanction of the League Executive Committee. All cheques drawn on behalf of the League must be signed by any of two of League Treasurer, Chairman or Secretary.

10. An honorarium shall be paid to the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Fixture & Competition Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer at the end of the financial year, the respective amounts thereof to be decided at the AGM.

11. Winners and Runners-Up of all Divisions of the League may receive Prizes or Medals as appropriate. The amount for same to be reviewed by the Executive Committee as required. They shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting. Divisional Winners to hold the appropriate Cup or Trophy to the end of the following season. These trophies and all individual trophies shall remain the property of the League, and cannot be won outright.

12. No alteration or addition to these Rules shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. Forty two days notice in writing shall be given to the League Secretary setting forth in detail such proposed alterations or deletions. No Rule shall be altered or deleted, or added to unless carried by at least two-thirds of those voting and entitled to vote at the meeting.

13. Any changes in Rules will come into force upon completion of the Annual General Meeting. 

MEETINGS

14. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in January of each year, when the Business shall Include (a) the election of the Executive Committee members (b) the League Secretary shall present his report for the past season, and (c) the Treasurer shall present a full account of receipts and disbursements, after it has been duly audited by the official auditors, who will be elected by the Management Committee. (d) The meeting will also consider any proposed Rule changes and (e) the composition of the League for the following season. (f) Awards of Prizes/Trophies.

15. Fourteen days notice in writing of the Annual General Meeting to be sent to each Club Secretary. Any player registered during the past season shall be eligible to attend the Annual General Meeting, but only three representatives from each Club will be allowed to vote on any subject under discussion. The League Chairman shall have a casting vote, whenever there is a deadlock in the voting.

16. A pre season Registration Meeting to be attended by club captains and/or nominees will be held in March to receive Player registrations, club fees and to finalise dates for the season. Players wishing to play in the League must register quoting their BCGBA number on an official schedule for the League. The schedule must be returned to the Secretary for registration before the first Tuesday in April. Each Club shall pay a subscription (per team) as determined by the Annual General Meeting, this shall be paid to the Treasurer before 30^th April each year. Any amount outstanding after that date will be subjected to a 10% surcharge. Such surcharge will increase by a further 5% for each month, or part month any amount remains outstanding.

COMPETITIONS

17. All entries to league Competitions must be made through Club Secretaries, and each Club shall be responsible to the League for the payment of entrance fees in respect of its entrants, the fee to accompany the Competition Form.

18. All League and Cup Matches shall be played on the scheduled dates, except where individual Club Rules require otherwise. If through unfavourable weather or any other cause over which the Clubs or League have no control, a Match cannot be commenced or completed on the fixed date, the Clubs concerned must mutually arrange to play or complete the match within 21 days, and the Home Captain must notify the League Secretary accordingly. If this has not been done by the time stated, the Executive Committee will fix a date, and their decision will be final. It is essential that both Captains report to the Green on Match nights, irrespective of the weather, in order that the provisions of this rule can be strictly adhered to. Shortage of players will not be an acceptable reason for postponement. In any match which is awarded as a WALK OVER, then the points awarded to the non offending team shall be the maximum of either 12 or 13 depending if they were the home or away team 

19. Players must be registered the day before playing a League match. Any Club playing an unregistered player shall forfeit the relevant points for each offence and shall be fined £2 by the League. Additional players may be registered after the first Tuesday in April. Registered players shall be eligible to play for only one Club in any one League, subject to the discretion of the Executive Committee. A player may be allowed to transfer to another Club provided he or she has not played more than three matches for his or her original club, and is not indebted to his original Club. No transfer will be allowed after 31^st May (during a given season). The last date for new registrations shall be July 31^st.

20. A Player shall not play two games in a match, nor play in more than one match on a night. Competing players shall be drawn against each other, including Captains, in sections of four players from each side. A Player, having played six or more games in a particular Division, shall not be eligible to play in a Lower Division of the league (during a given season). Where a Club has two or more Teams in the same Division, a Player having played six or more games for one side, cannot play for any other side (during a given season). In a rearranged game which corresponds with a game that was played on its original night (or rearranged date) by that club’s other team, a player cannot play in both games.

21. In League matches, the ‘Home Team’ is responsible for all Greenage charges.

All League games shall be played by 10 players on each side. Games to be 21 up and governed by the British Crown Green Bowling Association Laws of the Game. Two points awarded for the highest aggregate score for a Home win; three points if Away. If the Aggregate scores are equal, the Home team to receive one point and the Away team to receive two points. In addition teams receive one point for each individual winning player. At the end of the season the teams with the highest number of points to be declared the Divisional winners. The two Teams in each Division with the lowest number of points shall be relegated, and replaced by the two teams from the Division below them who have scored the highest number of points. In the event of teams resigning, or new teams being admitted promotion and relegation will be at the discretion of the Executive Committee. In the event of two or more teams in key positions scoring the same number of league table points, their positions shall be decided by the results of the head to head games of the teams involved, in the following priority order.

a)   Most league points scored in the head to head games.

b)   Best cumulative aggregate chalks difference in the head to head games.

c)   Most individual player wins in the head to head games.     

22. The Green shall be at the disposal of the Home team only from 30 minutes prior to the start of the match, then for the succeeding 15 minutes only, at the sole disposal of the Visitors for the 15 minutes immediately preceding the start of the match. In addition, the Visiting team captain has the option of starting his fifteen minute practice at any time during the Home team practice session. In Cup Competitions, other than the Presidents Cup, the Team drawn out first shall be deemed to be the Home team, and the Team drawn out second shall be deemed to be the Away team. In individual competitions no practice will be allowed on the day of play, except where a competitor had received a bye/walk over on the day of play, and is drawn against a player who has competed on that day.

23. (a) All League games will commence at the times Fixture Card. Any club failing to have four players to commence play 20 minutes after the starting time shall forfeit full points for each absentee. Furthermore, any team not having sufficient players to keep the green fully occupied (not less than four sets), during the match, shall, on appeal of the opposing captain, have full points deducted for each absentee. Any team found to have entered the names and fictitious scores instead of declaring players absent will be fined £10 for each offence.

(b) For league matches only, if a team is short of players in a league match, up to two bowlers may play twice. The choice of bowler(s) is up to the captain of the team which is short of players. However, any given bowler can only play once in each half of the league season (so twice overall per season). For his/her second game in a match, a home player forfeits 5 chalks per game, an away player loses 3 chalks. Only the first game played by a bowler in a match counts towards the Player Averages. A player cannot play twice in a cup game.

24. The Home Captain shall have full control of the Green. He shall act as Referee, and his decision shall be final. During such time as the Home Captain may actually be playing a Match, his duties as Referee shall be taken by the Home Sub-Captain, or failing him, by the Nominee of the Home Captain.

25. Official standard Jacks bearing a valid date stamp to be used in all League Matches and Open Competitions.

26. The Visitors to have the first throw of the Jack. Check markers to be used.

27. The Captain of the Home team shall ensure that all Match Scorecards reach the Fixture Secretary, by card delivery to his home address, or by electronic media, within 48 hours of the Match being completed. If sent by electronic media, the captain should retain the Scorecard.

Penalties for late submission of a Scorecard will be:

(a)    First instance, the League Secretary will issue a warning to the Secretary of the offending Club.

(b)    Second instance, the League Management Committee will impose a deduction of 2 points for every occurrence within a season.

28. Any team member (player or spectator) being guilty of disorderly conduct, using objectionable language or violating the rules of the League may be subject to disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from the League 

29. Protests of any such Match must be made to the League Secretary within seven days. The Club protesting must accompany the protest with a deposit of £10. The Executive Committee decision shall be subject to the right of appeal, and should they consider the complaint frivolous, the £10 shall be forwarded to the League.

January 2023

Appendix 1        Player of the Season Rules         

Appendix 2        Arcari, Butterworth and Sykes Cups

Appendix 3        League Handicap Plate Rules

Appendix 1 

PLAYER OF THE SEASON

The Player of the Season award is open to all registered players, and shall be awarded for each division of the league.

 RULES

1.       To qualify, a player must play in at least three quarters (75%) of league games in a division. 

2.        Games won will be divided by the games played to give an average.

3.       Total points scored will be divided by points against to give an average.

4.       These averages are added together to give the players a final average.

5.       All league games played will count. (but not cup or Plate handicap)

6.       If a player wins 21 – 0 by virtue of the opposing team being a player short this result will not count towards the player average, as it is a game not played. Also if a player plays twice in a match, the second game does not count towards the average.

7.       Any player/club found to have abused rule 6 (i.e. put in a false name and score) will be dealt with by the Executive Committee.

8.       The top player in each division with the best average will receive a trophy. The following is an example of the calculations.

·         Games won 19 divided by games played 23           Average            = 0.826

·         Points for 436 divided by points against 302         Average              = 1.444

----------

TOTAL AVERAGE                   = 2.270 

Updated January 2023

Appendix 2 

ARCARI, BUTTERWORTH and SYKES CUP RULES

1.       These competitions are run under the auspices of the Formby & District Bowling league, and all rules of the league shall apply to these competitions.

2.       The Arcari Cup shall be for First Division teams, the Butterworth Shield shall be for Second Division teams and the Sykes Cup shall be for Third Division teams. Only those players registered to play in those teams shall be eligible to play in these competitions.

3.       Up to and including the semi finals, matches may either be played on the basis of (a) neutral greens or (b) five individual matches on each of the two opposing teams’ greens. The Finals matches shall be played on neutral greens, with the host clubs providing standard jacks, footers, scorecards and measuring equipment. Where matches are split between the two greens, the away team players have the jack. Where matches are played on neutral greens, captains will toss for the first five jacks.  

4.       All matches to be on merit (off scratch) and will be 21 up. The result is based on aggregate scores. In the event of a tie, the team which has won most individual games will be declared the winner. If it is still a tie, then for games up to and including the semi-final, the winner will be the team with the best individual winner, and so on.  For the final, the captains will nominate a player to play (21 up) to decide the match.

5.       Players must have played three or more league matches before being allowed to play for a club in a semi –final, or final, of any cup competition.**. A Walkover in a league game counts as one of the three league games played, as long as the player was present and recorded on the match card, as witnessed by the opposing captain.

6.       No practice is allowed in any round.

7.       Players may play in only one of these competitions.

8.       Referees may be appointed for the finals.

As at January 2023

** - Handicap Plate games excluded

Appendix 3

LEAGUE HANDICAP PLATE RULES

In addition to the main divisional league competition, at the discretion of the Management Committee, a League Plate competition may be played in any eight team division, as follows. 

1.       Each team plays four games, two home and two away. The four opposing teams played are a spread based on the last season’s league places.  

2.       All games will be played and scored to normal league game rules, with match points awarded accordingly and added into the Plate league table.

3.       Handicap points will be added into the initial Plate league table as shown below. These are based on last year’s league places, as follows:

Scr(0)   for the highest placed two clubs (or those relegated from the higher division)

+ 5       for the next two lower placed clubs

+ 10      for the next two lower placed clubs

+ 15      for the bottom two clubs (or those promoted from a lower division) 

4.       The League Plate winner is the team with the most match points (including handicap points) in the league table after the four games have been played. In the event of two teams having the same number of league table points, the best difference in the cumulative aggregate scores over the four games will count.’

As at January 2016

2023 ROLL OF HONOUR

Division 1

League winners:  Brownmoor Brooke A;   Runners up:  Our Ladys

Cup winners:    Brownmoor Brooke A; Runners up:  Formby Village A

Merit winner:   Don O'Sullivan (Freshfield);  Runner up:   Les Plank (Brownmoor Brooke A)

Division 2

League winners:  Scarisbrick NSC;    Runners up:  Sefton & Thornton A

Cup winners:       Scarisbrick NSC;    Runners up:  Sefton & Thornton A

Merit Winner: Brian Fisher (Sefton & Thornton A); Runner up: Lisa Smith (Scarisbrick NSC)

SAFEGUARDING

From BCGBA: All clubs must have a Safeguarding Official by 1st March 2019. If the official is a member of more than one club then they can cover all clubs they play for.  If not, such clubs will be subject to a £25 fine, increasing by a further £25 for each succeeding 3 months without such a person, with the ultimate sanction of being barred from playing.

Just to remind you all, the recommended Action Plan for Clubs is as follows:

1. Identify an individual

2. Arrange for a DBS application to be completed through the BCGBA

3. Show the certificate to the County Safeguarding Officer / Evidence Checker / Counter Signatory.

4. Advise Club Members who the nominated Safeguarding Officer is.  This can be done by printing a copy of the Safeguarding Policy from the Safeguarding Website, adding the name of your Safeguarding Officer and then posting it on your Club notice board.

5. Ensure your Safeguarding Officer has a place on your committee to feedback any updates in policy.

6. Let the Merseyside Registrar have full details of the Safeguarding Officer for your Club. (This must be done by 30/6/2019 to avoid a fine)

KB 7/3/2019

The 1933 Race for Honours

Earliest records found indicate that the Formby and District bowling League was founded in 1933,  as shown by the first league winners inscribed on the Lister Cup, which is still awarded to this day for the League Division 1 winners. (See also the  Archival section on this web site).

In fact the race for honours in 1933 was described in a 1933 newspaper article, as reproduced on a pillar in the Railway Hotel, Formby,  and shown as follows:-

‘’Formby League.

With only four more games, Formby Conservatives have a lead of four points. Their position was strengthened by the defeat of the Southport team, Railway Hotel, Ainsdale, who lost by one in their game with the Railway Hotel, Formby. There were several games decided by one or two points only, and the decision was in doubt to the last end, Ainsdale doing their utmost to save a point, or get both, in order that they should retain their position in the race for honours.

A four a side knock-out competition on neutral greens is attracting great deal of attention, and the surprise of the first series of games was the defeat of Formby Trinity ‘A’ by Formby Trinity ‘C’ by six points.’’

(KB note. The Lister Cup shows that the 1933 league winners were the Railway Hotel, Ainsdale, who in fact were league winners fourteen times between 1933 and 1959).

LEAGUE HISTORY

You can now view the history of league honours, going back to when the league started in 1933. To view, click the honours link in the links section.  If you can help to fill in the blanks or have any further info, please let me know.  Thanks to Phil Howlin for all the info.