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Manchester Edition: Monday 26th September 2011
Cricket
Lancashire claim championship to end 77 years of pain. Lancashire lift Cricket’s County Championship, a victory 77 years in the making…
Patrick Madden Sports Editor
When Lancashire last lifted cricket’s County Championship way back in 1934 Franklin Roosevelt held the presidency of the United States, George V was the King of England and Adolf Hitler became Germany’s head of state. Fast forward to 2011 and whilst Das Fuhrer is long gone Lancashire are celebrating being crowned as County Champions once more. Victory over Somerset in the final session of the season’s final day saw Lancashire finally end a 77 year title drought, lifting a hoodoo many thought would cling to the County forever. Throughout the last 77 years Lancashire’s squads have been littered with stars, from the homegrown likes of Pilling, Lever, Allott, Fairbrother, Atherton, and Flintoff – to overseas imports Engineer, Lloyd, Akram, Muralitharan, Law and Hooper. Yet for all the one-day successes and trophies Lancashire’s stars achieved – plus a shared
Lancashire, it seemed, were destined to be forever the bridesmaids
Championship with Surrey in 1950 - none of these illustrious names could ever call themselves County Champions. Lancashire, it seemed, were destined to be forever the bridesmaids. This year however, everything fell into place. Playing away from their Old Trafford home - which is currently under major redevelopment - Lancashire won ten and drew
Feature
Where are they now? Paul McGrath Jack Burke Sports Editor
Paul McGrath was a footballer that always attracted attention, sadly often for the wrong reasons. The Irish centre half enjoyed a fine career, starring in the Manchester United team that lifted the 1985 FA Cup. He also became a hero for Aston Villa in the early 90’s, racking up 252 appearances as well as being named Professional Football Association player of the year in 1993. On the International stage, McGrath represented the Republic of Ireland, winning 83 caps and playing at two World cups. His finest
hour coming at the 1994 tournament as Ireland beat Italy 1-0. McGrath was the star man, playing through injury in a brave defensive display. In the aftermath Irish manager Jack Charlton compared him with England’s legend, Bobby Moore, such was his cultured approach to defending. Yet sadly for McGrath he will also be remembered for his well documented off field problems. His drinking problems were a prominent feature of his career and were the main reason he left Manchester
Lancashire triumphed away from their traditional Old Trafford home
two of their 16 games, pipping Warwickshire at the last. There is a brilliant irony in that – on paper at least, it was one of Lancashire’s least glamorous sides which finally broke through the 77 year wall. The team which beat Somerset on the closing day boasted only a single International cap - and a large contingent of the young squad hail locally, from Blackpool to Chorley and Bury to Preston- a lack of heavyweight names which seemed to benefit rather than burden the side. It was also a vindication of a
United. He spiralled out of control at Aston Villa, attempting suicide on four occasions. Yet what was perhaps most astounding about the player was his on field performances despite these issues. He would often not train due to his drinking habits, but produce excellent displays for his team. This year the former defender has emerged in a new light, and is releasing his debut album on September 23rd. An album of covers, McGrath tackles songs by the likes of Elvis Costello and Christy Moore, turning out to be a surprisngly tender vocalist.A percentage of the profits will be going to the Acquired Brain Injury Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Ireland. You can listen to lead single, ‘Goin Back’’ at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=FCbwXqoJGuo
policy of promoting youth - a policy which Lancashire, hamstrung by finances in a year in which legal fees nearly bankrupted the club - were somewhat forced into. Unable to afford an overseas professional after Farveez Maharoof departed to join the Sri Lanka squad they promoted a string of homegrown players and reaped the rewards – perhaps a lesson for other counties in the financially restricted arena of domestic cricket. Throughout the season there were a number of standout
performances. But for all the sporadic moments of individual brilliance - whether it was Gary Keedy’s haul of 60 wickets at an average of 23, Kyle Hogg’s 50 wickets and vital lower order runs, Simon Kerrigan’s 9-51 against Hampshire which kept Lancastrian dreams alive or Glenn Chapple steaming into bowl against Somerset despite a torn hamstring – this was a team victory. It was arguably no coincidence that Lancashire finally won the title in the year they were playing away from Old Trafford.
Historically haunted by the Mancunian weather Lancashire thrived at their temporary home at Aigburth, Liverpool, where the wickets provided lent themselves to results rather than drawn matches. Next year, Lancashire return to their famous old ground- and somewhere in the grand pavilion the Championship pennant will proudly hang once again. How long they’ll have to wait for another title remains to be seen, but it’s doubtful Lancashire fans will be suffering until 2088.
The Mancunion
Tweekly
@RobbieSavage8 – Just held a door open for a lady in the gym !!! – Robbie Savage milking his good deed for the day…. @RobbieSavage8 - Your not going to believe this just helped an old lady across the gym car park !!! – And why would it be so hard to believe, Robbie? @themichaelowen - Can't stand films but watched the Inbetweeners series so got to give it a go. Watched about 8 films in my life and 5 of them were Rocky!!! – Just when you thought he couldn’t be more boring… @themichaelowen - Our fans in stadium 45 mins after game singing their hearts out. When I emerged from dressing room they sang 'you scouse b*****d'! #magic – To be fair to the liverpudlian at least he took it in good humour. @Swannyg66 - Stephen Finn, bringing you howlingly atrocious tweets since 2010. #pleaselikeme – Graeme Swann’s damning assessment of Steve Finn’s twitter feed…. @finnysteve - Rapped hard to eminem all
Robbie doing his bit for the community. the way down the mway. Felt like B Rabbit from 8 mile. Taking on the other crews on the mean streets of Watford – Swanny’s got a very good point… @TheBig_Sam - A few times I've been around that track. So it's not just gonna happen like that. Cos I ain't no hollaback girl. I ain't no hollaback girl. – Big Sam loves a bit of Gwen Stefani. @rioferdy5 - School run didn't go too well today..lil man went in no problems..got back in my car + noticed a whiff of poo...dogs poo all on my shoe ! – Fingers crossed it won’t #stayonyourfeet, Rio… @Joey7Barton - Going officially on record, as saying Lee Dixon is crap, on Motd. Hansen is brilliant. Dixo and Colin Murray are really bad! P45's please – For once Joey B speaks sense, apart from the bit about Hansen… @chriskammy - Update no power in Wolverhampton traffic light chaos !!! – It’s unbelievable, Jeff!!!