New 'West Indians in the Lancashire Leagues' Exhibition Launch

Steel drum music echoed through the long room during the lunch interval in Lancashire’s recent match against Somerset in the County Championship as the "West Indians in the Lancashire Leagues" exhibition was officially launched on Thursday, 19th September, at Emirates Old Trafford.

Cecil Wright, legendary Lancashire League Professional, and Whit Stennett OBE, former Mayor of Trafford, opened the exhibition in the presence of Waveney Lloyd, Jack Simmons, Jim Cumbes, John Abrahams, and other dignitaries from the West Indian community and beyond. The rich and successful history of West Indian cricket in Lancashire and the rest of the northwest of England is a testament to the profound impact of Sir Learie Constantine and so many other West Indian cricketers featured in the exhibition.

It was fitting that Cecil Wright, affectionately known as 'Cec', aged 91, was invited to officially launch the Lancashire Cricket Leagues exhibition, as it's true to say that his remarkable longevity and contribution to the Lancashire Cricket Leagues made him a "legend". After a career spanning 60 years, Cec Wright, the former Jamaican pace bowler, retired at the age of 85 in September 2019. Wright claims to have taken over 7,000 wickets in his playing days. Born in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, Jamaica, in 1933, he played a first-class game for Jamaica against Barbados in 1958 before moving to England in 1959, where he played against Gary Sobers in the Lancashire League as a professional for Crompton Cricket Club.

Lancashire has been the home of over 140 West Indian cricketers who delighted spectators with their exploits. The large crowds in the leagues welcomed them and many players stayed longer at the clubs and made their homes in the Lancashire towns and villages.

The exhibition shows the colour and vibrancy of West Indian cricket and there is a specific section highlighting the crowds who came to watch the West Indies in Test Matches at Old Trafford. In the 1970’s the cricket authorities banned flags, musical instruments and alcohol from entering the ground.  The West Indian community usually gathered around the scoreboard at the Stretford End. A cry would go up. “Throw the rope over!” A rope which had been smuggled into the ground was thrown over the wall at the back of the stand and musical instruments, flags, beer and rum, not to mention food were hauled up over the wall during the day!

There is also mention of “Lord Kitchener” the famous calypso writer and performer who lived in Stretford and is honoured with a blue plaque. 

Curated by the Lancashire Cricket Heritage Group, the exhibition is the latest in a number of exhibitions being developed to highlight and celebrate key moments, events and movements in the history of Lancashire Cricket. It showcases the household names and great international players from the West Indies gracing Old Trafford as well as the rich history of West Indian players throughout the Lancashire Leagues.

In addition, it looks at how cricket as a sport played an integral part in helping the Windrush generation and their families to settle into the villages, towns and cities of the county of Lancashire, including Manchester, Oldham, Bolton, Trafford, Preston and Liverpool.

The exhibition also focuses on some of the great West Indian cricketers who have played in the leagues and on the panels below the main display, George Headley, Clive Walcott, Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell, Clive Lloyd Garry Sobers, Wes Hall, Charlie Griffiths Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine are all honoured.

The exhibition, curated by Rev Malcolm Lorimer and Phil Lloyd with help from Richard Davies, the Lancashire Cricket Heritage Group and the Lord’s Museum, will be in the Member’s Suite of the Pavilion for the next 18 months and can also be seen on a visit to Emirates Old Trafford or through the guided heritage tours which can be booked through the club.

In addition, we have also expanded our new ‘Online Exhibition Programme’ which now sits on the Lancashire Cricket website in a positive bid to reach a wider audience.

Joining the 'Women's Cricket Through the Ages’ exhibition we are delighted to also make the ‘James Anderson’ and the ‘West Indians in the Lancashire Leagues’ exhibitions available to view digitally:

Exhibitions | Lancashire Cricket Club

The Lancashire Cricket Heritage Group has, over a number of years, curated an inclusive and diverse exhibition and research programme that aims to recognise and celebrate seminal moments in the history of Lancashire Cricket and Emirates Old Trafford as well as showcasing stories of the game played across all communities in Lancashire. The new online exhibition programme will enable everyone to access and enjoy all of the detailed research that is carried out and to celebrate cricket in all its formats.

To view key moments, eras and individual stories that make up a crucial part of the history and heritage of this great club as well as the new online exhibition page please follow the link below:

History of The Club | Lancashire Cricket Club

For more information on the exhibition please contact:

Rev. Malcolm Lorimer on maxcricket@btinternet.com

Sandy Mitchell (Head of Heritage & Community Wellbeing) on smitchell@lancashirecricket.co.uk