Blaydon glad to join elite race (25 June 1999)
Blaydon have been staunch members of the Tyneside Senior League since 1971 so inevitably there are mixed feelings over their impending departure to the North-East Premier League
25-Jun-1999
25 June 1999
Blaydon glad to join elite race
Andrew Collomosse
Blaydon have been staunch members of the Tyneside Senior League since
1971 so inevitably there are mixed feelings over their impending
departure to the North-East Premier League.
Captain Ian Somerville, however, is convinced that Blaydon, TSL
champions in three of the last four seasons, have made the right
decision.
Indeed, while expressing his determination to ensure Blaydon,
currently second behind Shotley Bridge, bid farewell by lifting their
fifth championship, Somerville wishes the premier revolution had
taken place earlier.
"Above all, premier league cricket must be an arena for developing
young players," he insists. "And at 34 I hardly come into that
category. So I'll stick around for a couple of years to get the thing
off the ground and then hand the reins over to someone younger."
Blaydon, founded in 1891, were elected to the North-East Premier
League after two clubs from the North Yorkshire and Durham League
turned down invitations to become founder members.
And while savouring the prospect of taking on leading clubs from a
wider area, Somerville admits: "We will miss the derbies and all the
friendly rivalries but we have to think about the future of English
cricket. Hopefully our presence in the premier league will encourage
youngsters to come and play for Blaydon."
In the meantime, with West Indies World Cup player Nehemiah Perry
finally installed as professional, Blaydon face Annfield Plain this
weekend.
Source :: The Electronic Telegraph