Astley Bridge Cricket Club
ABCC Archives

A Step Back in Time

Take a look back at the creation of what we know as Sharples Park and Astley Bridge Cricket Club as it is today through these short excerpts from local publications at the time.
SHARPLES PARK HISTORY ABCC HISTORY

Players from Left to Right:
Back Row: UMPIRE, George Meikle, Ray Kay, Colin Colthurst, Norman Beadows, William Beardsmore, Geoff Williams

Front Row: Norman Barry, Ernest Robertson, Chris Thornton, Dennis Atherton, Tommy Worthington, UMPIRE

Circa 1950s

Astley Bridge Wesleyan Cricket Club, Bolton. Winners of the Second Division Cup 1913.

SHARPLES PARK HISTORY

Sharples Park has long been the heart of Astley Bridge CC, born from challenge and shaped by community spirit — read below to discover its story.
New Astley Bridge Cricket Ground

The work of laying out the new ground of Astley Bridge Cricket Club at Sharples Park has begun in earnest, and many difficulties, which have confronted the officials, have already been smoothed over by the help extended by friends. Even some of the allotment holders, who were doubtless disappointed that they had to move, have done what they could to facilitate progress. The field having been cleared a motor plough got to work in turning over the ground. Many of the best sods from the ground in Cobden Street which was originated 30 years ago this month will be used in laying out the new ground, and here the club professional, Len Tobutt, will have charge. I scarcely need to point out that as a groundsman he has a reputation second to none. A new pavilion will be required, the old one being left at Cobden, which will be used I understand, as a welfare ground, but the spacious tea-room erected a year or two ago will be pulled down and moved across to the new ground. It is a big task to lay out an entirely new ground, but the club officials are tackling the job with a big heart, and they have already been encouraged by the way they have been met in fixing up the preliminary arrangements.

Bolton Journal, October 15th 1926


Astley Bridge and the Ground Question

When the Astley Bridge club commenced work on their new ground at Sharples Park it was hoped that it would be fit for play at the beginning of, or early in the season. However, it is now certain that the ground will not be ready for some considerable time, if at all this season. At a recent meeting of the Bolton and District League, provisional permission was given Astley Bridge to play their first few games on Sir George Holden's private ground, and after hearing the report of Mr. J. W. Massey, who inspected the ground, the League Committee, on Friday gave definite permission. The Astley Bridge representative informed the meeting that Sir George had kindly promised the loan of his ground for the whole of the season if necessary, with the of one Saturday not yet decided upon.

Cricket Gossip, The Buff, April 9th 1927


Astley Bridge Enterprise A Fine Ground

A crisis arose in the history of the Astley Bridge Cricket Club when the Cobden Street ground was taken from them, and many people thought it would mean the end of the club. But a stout-hearted band of officials set about the task of finding a suitable site for a new ground, and obtaining the wherewithal for its purchase and transition into playable condition, and I am convinced their enterprise will receive its reward. The ground is situated near Thorns Road, Astley Bridge, and is over looked on the south by Eden's Orphanage, and the north by Thornleigh School. Eighteen months ago it was allotments; now it is looking "something like." and will be ready for the clubs first home match a fortnight hence. Undoubtedly it is a splendid ground. The actual playing area measures 124 yards by 106 yards, and is laid turf for 60 yard square in the middle. Surrounding the ground is a quarter mile cinder track, and there will be practice pitches apart from the actual playing field. A pavilion purchased from the Lancashire County Council after a recent Royal Lancashire Show in Bolton is a handsome structure, and will include a tea-room for players and enclosure patrons, as well as two dressing rooms.

Cricket Gossip, The Buff, April 14th 1928

ASTLEY BRIDGE OPEN NEW GROUND

OPENING AT ASTLEY BRIDGE BY MR WILLIAM HOWARTH

Mr Howarth was of the opinion that cricket was the best game of the "Britisher". Because it expressed better than any other game the sporting instinct of the race. Sir Edwin Stockton, chairman of the Lancashire Cricket Club, in a rousing speech moved a vote of thanks to the opener. He believed that it was impossible to exaggerate the value of sport to the character of the people.

This was the big day in the annuals of the Astley Bridge Cricket Club. It was the occasion of the opening of their new ground by Mr William Howarth J.P, supported by Sir Edwin Stockton, Chairman of Lancashire Cricket Club. These gentlemen along with the club president Mr Roocroft and Mr Grant president of the Bolton and District Association played the first two overs on the ground and Sir Edwin Stockton had the distinction of being the first to register a boundary hit. The attendance at the commencement was approximately 1000.

In the match with Radcliffe who batted first, Crabtree bowled the Rev. H Wearden, T Edge and Llewellyn with the third, fourth and sixth balls of his fourth over preventing the hat-trick.

Evening News Buff, April 28th 1928

  • "It has always been my ambition in opening the new ground at Astley Bridge Cricket Club this afternoon. That we train the young professionals and the lads who ought to come on. So they follow in the footsteps of the men who are carrying the honour of Lancashire so bravely."

    Mr W. Howarth J.P
Courtesy of :- Bolton Archives, Civic Centre, Bolton

The First Match Played on Sharples Park - ABCC vs RADCLIFFE CC

Match Played April 28th 1928
RADCLIFFE Innings

Rev H Wearden_____b Crabtree_____ 02

F Cowburn_____c Dickinson b Crabtree_____ 12

T Edge_____b Crabtree_____ 00

Llewellyn_____b Crabtree_____ 00

W Knight_____b Sutcliffe_____ 00

W Hough_____b Dickinson_____ 19

P Pickstone_____c H Mitchell b Sutcliffe_____ 00

H Pearson_____c Mitchell b Rogerson_____ 08

E Emerson_____b Entwistle_____ 15

A Pickstone_____lbw b Crabtree_____ 11

W Spencer_____not out_____ 01
ASTLEY BRIDGE Innings

N C Mitchell_____b | Hough_____ 44

H Mitchell_____c | Llewellyn b Edge_____ 09

Crabtree_____b | Hough_____ 02

R Sutcliffe_____c | Cowburn b Edge_____ 07

G Pilling_____c | Emerson b Edge_____ 08

J Entwistle_____c | Llewellyn b Edge_____ 00

S Jobson_____not out_____ 09

H  Fell_____b | Hough_____ 01

R  Nelson_____c | Knight b Hough_____ 00

J Rogerson_____run out_____ 00

H Dickinson_____c | Pearson b Hough_____ 00


Bowler..........Overs.....Maiden.....Runs.....Wickets

Crabtree...........18...............7..............21................5

Sutcliffe............12...............1..............30................2

Dickinson..........4...............0...............11................1

Rogerson..........5.................1...............12...............1

Entwistle............1................0...............4................1



Extras. 06
Total. 84

Bowler..........Overs.....Maiden.....Runs.....Wickets

Llewellyn..........9..............0...........29............0

Hough.............17.1 ..........6............23............5

Edge................16..............2............28...........4






Extras. 05
Total. 85
Bolton Evening News, April 28th 1928 & April 30th 1928

ABCC HISTORY

Astley Bridge Cricket Club has a proud story, from our beginnings as Halliwell CC to landmark moments like lifting the Hamer Cup after 92 years. Recent seasons have brought promotions, relegations, thrilling comebacks and standout performances - all to be read below!

Bridge Skipper Syd Knows Two More Wins Will Seal Promotion

Never mind seventh heaven, in-form Astley Bridge are hoping it is a case of 11th heaven as they aim to secure Championship promotion in the North West Cricket League.

The Sharples Park side are the form team across either division of the NWCL first-team structure having won nine games in a row to storm to the second-tier summit.

They claimed a notable home success against pre-game league leaders Ribblesdale Wanderers last Saturday, by 23 runs defending a 244-target, with captain Syd De Silva saying: “It was an absolutely magical day. This is what we play cricket for.”

Four teams are fighting for two spots. Bridge are top on 173 points from 20 games, second are Ribblesdale on 172 from 21 - they only have one to play.

Third are Barnoldswick, with 168 points from 19 games, and fourth are Cherry Tree, on 163 from 20.

The race, which sees a maximum of 12 points available for a win, is made that bit harder to read by the fact teams have played a different number of games.

Simplicity is the key for batting all-rounder De Silva, however.

“If we win our next two games, we will be up,” he said. “I don’t care what other people do.”

Bridge host mid-table Baxenden today before travelling to Cherry Tree to round off the season a week later.

De Silva spoke with a jubilant tone as he reflected on the latest success of a winning run which started on July 12. But it was completely understandable given their latest win was under serious threat as Wanderers were in a position of significant health on a couple of occasions.

Having elected to bat, the hosts slipped to 42-4 and 79-5, only for Sri Lankan professional Dhanushka Dhamasiri to top-score with 87 not out off 79 balls and Haaris Akhtar to contribute 64 off 45.

Those two shared 95 for the seventh wicket from 139-6 to fashion a 243 all out total.

In reply, the Clitheroe side were 178-2 in the 31st over with key duo Heshan Dhanushka - their Sri Lankan pro - and Ryan Canning at the crease.

But Bridge battled back superbly, taking the last eight wickets for 42, bowling their visitors out for 220.

Akhtar, who opened the bowling with his skipper, returned 5-44 from 9.5 overs of seam, including the key wickets of Dhanushka and Canning - and the one which won it.

“We were up for it coming into this game against top-of-the-league, and we just did the basics right and kept it very simple,” reflected De Silva.

“We won the toss. Even though it was a tough, green deck in the first week of September, I said to the boys, ‘Let’s go and do what we’ve been doing best. Let’s just try and put the total on the board and then defend it’. That’s what we did.

“We were in trouble early on - we really struggled - but a couple of my junior players stepped up and helped us get to a total we were happy with in the end.”

Added to the contributions of Dhanushka and Akhtar, Ubaid Ullah’s lower middle-order 25 was important.

But Akhtar will take all the headlines having also shone with the ball.

“Haaris is 21, and he was unbelievable,” said De Silva. “When you look at his season, he could have done better. But the thing about him is that he stands up in big games.

“When we were in trouble, he came back on and got the big wicket (Dhanushka, 178-3).

“He’s come through the junior ranks here, and it’s fantastic for the club.”

De Silva said the game had a ‘cup final’ feel to it.

“There were a lot of people here watching it,” he added. “We had a beer festival on as well.

“There was also a guy from Chester who had travelled to watch the game. It was first versus second, a top game, and he has watched league cricket all over the country.

“He was probably in his sixties, and he was a really interesting guy.

“He picked our game to watch, and I’m sure he enjoyed it.”

Today’s fixtures: Premiership - Atherton v Tonge, Blackrod v Eagley, Farnworth v Little Lever, Padiham v Farnworth Social Circle, Read v Lostock, Salesbury v Kearsley; Championship - Astley Bridge v Baxenden, Barnoldswick v Brinscall, Walkden v Cherry Tree, Whalley v Earby.

Tomorrow’s fixture: Championship - Barnoldswick v Ribblesdale Wanderers.

By Graham Hardcastle | Bolton News 13th September 2025

NWCL Week 13 feature – Astley Bridge

Astley Bridge captain Matthew Hargraves hailed the batting heroics of Rick Northrop and Haaris Akhtar for contributing to one of his best ever wins in cricket.

On Saturday, Bridge claimed an outstanding two-wicket home success over Eagley, breathing much-needed life into their battle against relegation from the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League’s Premiership division.

The hosts, bottom of the table with only one win at the time, were set a target of 209 as Eagley’s professional Ayaz Tasawar top-scored with a measured 57 in 208-6.

Akhtar returned figures of 1-26 from seven overs, but his contribution with the bat was much more significant following an early collapse to 64-7 in the 25th over of the reply.

At that stage, Eagley’s teenaged left-arm spinner Luca Doyle had claimed all seven wickets.

In the grand scheme of things, Doyle’s brilliant 7-48 from 15 overs – having taken the new ball – was overshadowed because of the efforts of Northrop and Akhtar, who inspired a win which will be long remembered down at Sharples Park.

The pair shared 137 for the eighth wicket inside 18 overs, with Northrop finishing with 88 off 70 balls and Akhter 55 not out off 53.

“We’ve got a guy who’s scored thousands and thousands of runs batting at number eight and a guy with him who is better than a number nine." said Hargraves. "Rick did what Rick of old could do. Haaris was brilliant. Backs against the wall, it was a remarkable partnership. They never gave a chance. It seemed like everything Rick hit was going to the boundary or for runs somewhere. We didn’t bowl amazingly, but on that wicket I think 210 was slightly below par. The way they were going, I thought we did well to peg them back.

“At 60-7, you’re struggling a bit. But with Rick and Haaris still there, you still have belief."

“It’s going to be up there – it was just a great win.”

“The Hamer Cup (final, 2022) win against Westhoughton a few years ago is the pinnacle, but this is definitely one of the best wins and run chases I’ve been a part of.”

Wicketkeeper Hargraves, batting at 10, actually hit the winning boundary after Northrop had fallen to leave the score at 201-8 with eight still required to win.

“The job wouldn’t have been done without me at the end, would it!” laughed Hargraves, who in truth was more keen to praise his team-mates’ efforts. He also praised umpires Michael Wilkinson and Bill Slinger.

“Eagley opened with two spinners, and we found it difficult” continued Hargraves. “But when they finished, they brought on two pace bowlers and it was a bit easier to negate.”

“I kept looking at the Duckworth Lewis because it was raining, and I was thinking, 'if we can just get a bit closer to that’. I think we were 130 and the Duckworth Lewis was 150 or 160. I thought, ‘If we can just have a couple of good overs here, we have a chance because they might even bring us off.”

“But the umpires, credit where credit’s due, they ploughed on and kept us out there because it was drizzling all the way through the back end of our innings. It was a great game to be a part of, and they contributed to it.”

“We showed a bit of fight against Little Lever a couple of weeks in the Hamer Cup semi-final, and I said to the lads, ‘I don’t care if it’s one down or nine down, let’s make sure we win today.'”

Astley Bridge (35 points) are now 20 points from safety with nine games of the season remaining.

“Hopefully it will give us a bit of momentum,” said Hargraves.

“We have a tough game on Saturday away at Blackrod, who are doing well. But why not? Anything can happen.”

“If we can get a few wins on the board pretty quickly, we have every chance of staying up.”

Asked why things have been so tough so far this season for his side Hargraves added: “It’s been a combination of a few things – a bit of everything. We’ve had some injuries. I broke my foot and missed the first six weeks, and Saturday was Rick’s first game back having hurt his Achilles. We’ve had a few other availability issues. We haven’t had a great deal of luck either."

“Early in the season, we got 240 and came up against a good pro (Navod Paranavithana) at home to Blackrod and lost. Last Saturday against Lostock, we bowled them out for 115 but they just bowled even better than we did. But I think the luck sort of flipped for us this weekend.”

By Graham Hardcastle | NWCL Week 13 feature – Astley Bridge, NWCL.co.uk 24/07/24

Puda is the Bridge Hero as Trophy End in a Bowl-Out

THERE was a dramatic finale to this year's Anthony Axford Indoor Cricket Trophy at Bolton School on Sunday as Astley Bridge won a bowl-out against Tonge.

For the first time in the history of this competition, which started in 1976, there was a tie in the final. The scores were level and wickets lost were the same, so there was a bowl out which went to sudden death.

Astley Bridge had batted first and made 96-5, largely due to 34 from Irfan Puda, ably supported by Ismal Patel, with 18, and Joe Ducker (17 not out). Pick of the bowlers for Tonge was Sojab Haji, with 1-17.

In reply, Tonge also made 96-5 with 41no from Dane Hargreaves, which earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Tonge needed 14 off the last over to win and only managed 13 to level the scores.

Each team had to choose two players to bowl two overs each and at the end of this it was one wicket for each team.

It then became sudden death and Astley Bridge ran out the winner when Puda hit the wickets.

To get to the final, Bridge had to overcome Farnworth.

They batted first and were all out for 82, with Simon Booth taking 1-8 from his three overs. Top scorer for Astley Bridge was Ismal Patel, with 22.

In reply, Farnworth were going along nicely for the first six overs, having scored 41-2, when things went wrong. Trying to hit out and score, they were caught and were all out for 59 in the 10th over.

Astley Bridge will now represent the North West Cricket League in the next stage of the national six-a-side competition.

By Karen Knott | Bolton News, January 31st 2024

Inaugural Season in North West Cricket League: Completed

Irfan Puda inspired Astley Bridge secured a top-12 place in next season’s Anthony Axford North West Cricket League by the skin of their teeth following a remarkable Saturday win at Salesbury.

This wasn’t quite a winner takes all game as Salesbury still beat the cut and will be playing top division cricket in 2024 courtesy of claiming seven points from a final round game which saw them bowl Astley Bridge out for 92 but fail to chase the low target.

But both teams started the day knowing they could miss out.

Ultimately, this game was decided by Puda’s heroics. He firstly hit a vital 20 off 47 balls from number nine before taking a brilliant 5-16 from eight overs as Bridge claimed their 11th win from 23 matches, finishing ninth.

One of his wickets was Salesbury sub professional James Bracey caught at long-on for an innings-high 27.

Bracey, batting at number three, played two Tests for England against New Zealand as recently as 2021 and hit a double century for Gloucestershire in last month’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

“He got off to a good start, but it did almost feel like every single run was on him,” said Astley Bridge captain Matthew Hargraves. “No disrespect to Salesbury, but I felt they were relying on the pro a bit."

“It’s always a bit daunting coming up against someone like that with the record he’s got.... but we felt we had a real chance if we got him early, which we did. He came down the track and tried to smash Irfan for six and was caught at long-on. It was a good catch (by Millen Patel).”

Opener Krishnan Patel top-scored for visitors Bridge with 21, while Elliott Simpson claimed 4-32 from 12 overs for Salesbury, who finished 11th, added to Ollie Wetton’s three wickets.

In reply, Salesbury reached 34-1, only for Bracey’s departure to spark a collapse to 60-8. A recovery followed to 83-8, only for Puda to strike again and Haaris Akhtar to take the winning wicket.

“Before the game, there were a few nerves – in both camps, to be honest,” continued Hargraves. “It was a bit of a crunch match. We were a bit nervous going into the second innings as well! But as soon as we got a few early wickets, we settled down and felt we had a real chance. Irfan was absolutely brilliant with the ball and bat. With the bat, I said, ‘Go and play your natural game, build a partnership’. That’s exactly what he did. I couldn’t ask for much more.”

So, once the dust settles on this close shave, how does Hargraves mastermind progression in 2024?

“We need to improve,” he said. “We were slightly unlucky with a few of the rained off games. We had a couple where we were in decent positions.

“A few new signings need to be made. We’re looking for a new pro (to replace Lesiba Ngoepe). We want a definite batter who can contribute a bit with the ball. That’s been a decent fit for us over the last couple of years.

“We’re re-signing Ulli (Bronkhorst, South Africa) as overseas amateur. He’s a great player and a great lad around the club, helping with junior training and things like that. A few of the senior players didn’t have the best season they’ve ever had. We need to step up next year. If we do, we can hopefully push for the top half of the top division.”

And on the first year of the NWCL, Hargraves added: “It’s been a great year. It’s been good to play at some new grounds against new faces. The lads have really enjoyed it, and it’s been fantastic for both leagues coming together like we have.”

By Graham Hardcastle | Match-Day 23 Weekly Round-Up, NWCL.co.uk 19/09/23

Bridge Make History With Their First Hamer Triumph

ASHER Zaidi put in a man-of-the-match display to fire Astley Bridge to their first ever Hamer Cup win in 92 years on Sunday.

The Bolton Cricket League showpiece took place at Farnworth and Zaidi hit a century before taking three wickets to help his side beat league leaders Westhoughton.

Shahzad Patel (23) and Jack Bentham (34) set Bridge on their way with a quickfire 48-run opening partnership before Zaidi, batting at four, hit 106 from 89 deliveries, including three sixes and 12 fours.

Shivan Perera contributed 32 in a vital 98-run partnership with his professional, while Ayaz Tasawar (3-33) and Marlon Welcome-Goodman (3-37) were the pick of the Westhoughton bowlers.

Losing wickets at regular intervals, Westhoughton were indebted to Tasawar for keeping the game alive with his 69 - the last-wicket partnership being worth 49 in their 169 all out.

Zaidi took 3-32 to add to his century, and Haaris Akhtar also took three wickets.

They may have suffered cup heartbreak, but Westhoughton may be just a couple of matches from securing the championship.

By Ray Taylor | Bolton News, August 16th 2022

Players from left to right:

Back Row: Shivan Perera, Irfan Puda, Ismael Patel (12th Man), Millen Patel, Jack Bentham, Ashar Zaidi (Pro), Robert Astley (Scorer)

Front Row: Shahzad Patel, Haaris Akhtar, Richard Northrop, Yasir Rashid (Captain), David Cryer, Matthew Hargraves (WK)
Astley Bridge in the Beginning?

Halliwell were one of the founder members of the Bolton and District Cricket Association in 1889 and performed with some distinction, being Cross Cup winners in 1897. For some reason they did not appear in the league after 1899 when they finished mid-table. Halliwell Road Wesleyians promoted from section A to the first division for the 1900 season were a different team, and became Halliwell in their own right in 1905, and became Astley Bridge in 1921.

Barry Taylor


Cricket Club's Every Move Dogged By Builders

Over 60 years ago Halliwell Cricket Club had its headquarters at Bennetts, Halliwell, but eventually building development thereabouts compelled the club to seek another ground. Shortly after the turn of the century a ground was acquired in the Cobden Street area of Astley Bridge. In reply to "Curious". tradition dies hard, and it was not until 1921 that a change of name from Halliwell Cricket Club to that of its present place of residence. Astley Bridge, was made. Several years late, land development again compelled the club to seek new headquarters. This time the cause of the upheaval was the construction of Crompton Way, which cut right through the ground. A move was then made to a pitch alongside Belmont Road but this was very short lived, and by 1930 the club had moved to its present ground at Sharples Park. Here again a large slice of land had to be sacrificed for the construction of Moss Bank Way. And in 1948 when the club's landlord, the Bleachers' Association, decided to put the land up for sale, members and local businessmen rallied round to help raise the £3,200 and keep the club's headquarters.

Bolton Evening News, July 11th 1963


The Cobden Connection

All league cricket in Bolton at that time was under the auspices of the Bolton and District Cricket Association, which was formed in 1989, and Halliwell Cricket Club was in the top division. The cricket drew very big crowds, and young boys used to crawl between the feet of about three rows of spectators and sit on the grass in front. To get to the ground we used to go through the fields and use a little gate ; the main gate was at the other side of the ground, and spectators used to crowd to the ground down a short street called Cobden Street. This ran between two gable ends of houses in Holland Street and then some hen pens on the left hand side, and Ashworth's spinning mill and lodge on the right.

From Cricket in My Life. Arthur L Hargreaves


ABCC History File

1925 was a great year for Astley Bridge Cricket Club, winning the championship of the East Section of the Bolton & District League, also the winning of the cup and the flag. They had seven batters on the League averages. N J Mitchell and G Rogerson holding the two top League positions. J Entwistle and Len Tobutt (Pro) having the two top positions in the League bowling averages. The batters scored 3658 runs for the loss of only 153 wickets. They beat Eagley in the Cross Cup Final at Heaton 182 - 184 for 8.

As the champions of East Section played the Champions of the West Section, ABCC defeated Horwich RMI at Bridgeman Park on Sept. 12th. Astley Bridge 177 - Horwich 66 to win the flag.

Little wonder Mr Aspinall at the club general meeting on Friday Dec. 4th 1925 said as Secretary how proud he was of the team's achievements and although £144 was needed for the Pro's services the gate receipts had been £258. 2s 11p.

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