28 Sept 2020
I wish to place on record my appreciation to all Greater Manchester Cricket League Clubs, Officials, Volunteers, and players of all ages for your sterling efforts in getting cricket on this season.
We started cricket in the GMCL on the 26th July under the ECB Adaptive Play Stage 4 guidelines and we have now concluded what has been a shortened season in the most difficult of circumstances.
The cricket family has come together in away that has shown the strength of our clubs and the people that are involved in organising and staging the game that we all love.
I wish to pay tribute to those clubs who have had to deal with incidents of players and spectators being tested positive for Covid, and to those on the Board and our clubs who have had to cancel and rearrange fixtures at short notice, which affects not only the host club but also others in the chain. This has been handled extremely well and please accept my thanks to all those involved.
Our Umpires have had to deal with different regulations and they have dealt with this in a positive manner and we thank them for their support and understanding during the season.
This has been an unbelievable challenge for us all and I would like to thank the Lancashire Cricket Foundation and the England and Wales Cricket Board for their continued support prior to and during these difficult times. They have offered advice when required in a timely and supportive manner. Who knows what the winter and next season will look like but rest assured if we continue to work together as we have done in 2020 we will be back playing in April 2021.
Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost friends and family over the last few months and we hope that you find solace and comfort from your familes and from your friends in and around your club and the game.
Winter well and stay safe
Kind regards
Martin Kay