LCC's agm is nearly upon us and players and members are being encouraged to attend.

There is a packed agenda. The club chairman, secretary and treasurer will all present their annual reports. A comprehensive review of the season, on and off the pitch, will take place.

Bevreges will be provided and afterwards a complimentary pie and pea supper will be served up.

The meeting begins at 7.30pm and will be at St Matthew's Church Community room.

The first indoor net of the new season will take place this Monday at Hipperholme & Lightcliffe High School (behind the Sun Inn). Nets will be held for Under 11's between 6pm and 7pm, for Under 13's from 7pm to 8pm and for all other junior age groups, as well as seniors, between 8pm and 10pm.

All age groups will be supervised by the club's coaches, and with new senior coach Chris Taylor also casting his expert eye over players, the sessions should prove to be extremely worthwhile in developing the talent we have at the club.

The cost of attending nets will be £5 for adults and £3 for juniors, although the new standing order payment system for juniors will cover these indoor nets - details to be circulated to junior parents over the weekend.

New first XI captain Jocky Wilson is hoping for a good senior turn out the first of 10 sessions taking us through to April. In his call to players, Wilson said, "It would be good to see as many players as possible at the first session, which will set the tone for a the rest of pre-season and enable us to be as prepared as possible for the start of this year's campaign."

With a number of close season signings, competition for places in the three senior teams will be as strong as it has been for a number of years, making attendance at nets a priority for all involved.

Former LCC spinner and big hitting batsmen Andy Pullan was widely expected to be in the Countdown studios in January to show off his letter skills to the nation.

However, the burly goalkeeper's letter inviting him to the stuidos seems to have gone awol.

This has left his band of loyal followers wondering if the dream will ever happen.

Watch this space for more info on Andy's chance to work things out with a pencil and paper.

Don't forget winter nets begin at Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School next Monday 8pm-10pm.

A good turnout is expected.

Four of LCC's junior teams have found out their cup opponents for the 2010 season.

The U17's are at home to Cleckheaton on 24 May; the under 15's travel to Bradford and Bingley on 7 June; the under 13's are away to Spen Victoria on Monday 10 May; the under 11's will visit the winners of Bolton Villas or Farsley on Monday 14 June.

A final year degree student has contacted LCC to help improve its widely admired website.

As part of his studies, the student will be writing articles, improving content and developing new ideas like player profiles.

All players will be contacted in the coming weeks with a q & a to help provide more in depth info on LCC’s players.

The student got in touch with club historian Bob Horne to ask if he could help out in the coming weeks.

Bob said: "I think it will be of considerable benefit to the club. He will have the time, commitment and dedication to build up our content and improve the product.

More info on the student's work, as well as his name, in the coming days.

LCC players, officials and supporters get be eggheads on Sat Feb 27 when the annual LCC winter quiz night takes place.

A fiver provides quiz entry, pie and pea supper and a raffle ticket. An absoulte bargain.

As usual there will be a well stocked bar, amazing raffle prices and a fantastic atmosphere.

All welcome. Please spread the word and support this important LCC fundraiser.

For more information please e-mail Michael Brooke at michaeljbrooke@btinternet.com

Bradford League 'legend' Richard Nicholls dominates the sports pages in this week's Brighouse Echo.

The former LCC skipper confirmed his depature to North Yorkshire outfit Bardonoldswick.

Nicholls skippered the first team for the last three years and also played at the club in the mid 1990s. His sylish batting and seam bowling will be missed but excellent new signings have been made to fill the void.

The full interview can be read on the back page of the Echo; while stocks last.

They travelled from miles around.

Over 20 players packed into three nets at Headingley on Wednesday evening for a good two hour net session.

It was good to see such a good turnout on a cold January evening and the players who turned up were rewarded with a good session.

Thoughts are now turning to the first indoor practice at Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School on Monday 1st February.

There will be another pre season next session at Headingley next Wedneday for all LCC players.

Three nets have been booked from 7pm-8pm and all players are being urged to attend.

Details below:-

Venue - Headingley Indoor Centre
Date - Wednesday 20 January
Time - 7pm-8pm (can go over 20 minutes if necessary)
Cost - £2 per player.

This has been mailed round to all players but please pass on the message to anyone who might have missed it.

The stand out fixtures in LCC's second 20/20 campaign are the visit of the two Pudsey teams on the same day.

We will be hositng Pudsey St Lawrence and Pudsey Congs on 9 May in what promises to be a sizzling Sunday at Wakefield Road.

The double header will ensure a bumper gate at Wakefield Road and already has the LCC committee buzzing with excitement.

20/20 guru Paul Ramsden said: "These are provisional fixtures at the moment but we are hoping for confirmation from the Bradford League in a matter of days.

"I think we can be happy with the fixture list, with some attractive home games to boost the club coffers. Our treasurer Dave Curran had a broad smile on his face when I told him both Pudsey teams were in town on the same day. Now we just need the sun to shine. I hope to see hundreds pouring through the gates."

Provisional 20/20 fixtures:-

Sun 25th April - Spen Vic Away

Sun 9th May - Home double header PSL @ 1300; Congs @ 1600

Sun 6th June - Bankfoot Home

Sun 18th July - Farsley Away

Sun 25th July - Gomersal Away

The club's AGM is rapidly approaching and is on Wednesday February 10 (not Wed 8 February as previously stated).

This year it will be on Wednesday 10 February at St Matthew's Church community room at 7.30pm.

The AGM provides an opportunity to look at the club's finances, review the last twelve months and look forward to the year ahead.

All members of the club are invited and encouraged to attend.

And, what's more delicious Pie and Peas are served after the meeting. For free!

There is much to look forward to in 2010 at Wakefield Road. On and off the pitch, things are moving forward at pace.

The three senior teams have captains and vice captains in place; a new chair of cricket, James Horne, has been appointed; the 20/20 games have been moved to a more eye-catching Sunday slot, and there are a number of social events in the calender.

The widely reported arrival of 1st class cricketer Chris Taylor as player-director of cricket has given the club a further boost.

We have also secured the signing of a quality off spinner, along with proven batsmen Matt Taylor (brother of Chris), and promising Cleckheaton batsmen Reece Jowett. There is also the hope that Aussie Pro Simon Black will be jetting in for another campaign.

There have been few departures. Richard Nichols has moved to pastures new and Tahir Khan has returned to Bowling Old Lane. However, LCC old boys Richard Tesseyman and Javid Iqbal are returning to Wakefield Road.

Perhaps most importantly of all, our award winning groundsman Rod Heyhoe, supported by Robert Brooke and Paul Hayman, will be on board for another season preparing the best wickets in the Bradford League

On the social front there is a quiz night on Saturday 27 February and a race night on Sat 17 April (after the first day of the season).

The highlight of the spring social calender will be an 'evening with Brian Close' on Thursday 18 March. More on this event with the former England, Yorkshire and Somerset legend later in the week. It promises to be a fantastic evening. Tickets will be on sale shortly!

As ever the Lightcliffe Gala will be on the second Sunday in July.

Let's hope 2010 lives up to its promise at LCC.

The eagerly anticipated Pakistan v Australia test match series will be played in England this summer and LCC has received some price busting ticket offers for the Headingley clash.

Under 16-year-olds will be able to attend the big match for just £8 and one free adult ticket will be thrown in for every eight bought. An absolute bargain.

The official launch of this offer will be next Monday (11th January)

To book tickets or for more information please call the YCCC Ticket Office on 0871 971 1222 or complete the attached form and post to: YCCC Ticket Office, Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground, St Michaels Lane , Leeds , LS6 3BU with payment.

This offer is subject to availability and seats will only be issued for the Family Stand.

Please purchase tickets before February 12th to ensure you don’t miss out.

Contact addresses and emails will be required for each booking so that further information packs including school competitions can be circulated.

LCC secretary Steve Hartley said: "This is a fantastic offer for LCC members. The Pakistan v Australia games always throw up some wonderful cricket, with some of the best players in the world competing against each other. To see them performing at the highest level at the home of Yorkshire Cricket is quite simply a not to be missed opportunity.

"I would urge LCC members to bite the hand off Yorkshire CC and snap up these tickets as soon as possible."

We have some mouth watering 20/20 games to look forward to in 2010.

The cricket season may seem a long way of during the arctic blast, but it's only 13 weeks before the action gets underway.

And the 20/20 games will move from Tuesdays to the weekend this season to cater for practice nights.

We will be playing both Pudsey teams, Hanging Heaton, Gomersal, Farsley, Spen Victoria and Bankfoot once. The top three teams will qualify.

Full details of the fixture lists will released by the Bradford League shortly. More details can be read on the JCT600 Bradford League website.

There's some good newspaper coverage for LCC in this week's Brighouse Echo.

Copy the link below to read all about it.

http://www.brighouseecho.co.uk/sport/Lightcliffe39s-Horne-has-crucial-new.5948867.jp

The countdown to the 2010 season is underway.

Winter nets for senior players begin on Monday 1st February at Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School between 8pm-10pm.

There may be a couple more sessions at Headingley nets in January.

Watch this space for more details!

Please click on the photos section to see some excellent festive photos of LCC.

Thanks to club treasurer Dave Curran for taking the snowy shots, featuring his son Callum, along with a guest appearance from Shaun.

Season's greetings and best wishes for the New Year to all LCC players, officials, supporters and sponsors.

There is much to look forward to in 2010 at LCC, both on and off the pitch.

In the meantime, have a great festive period and look out for news on when the winter nets begin early in the New Year.

Enjoy.

The club has made one of its most impressive signings for many seasons in the form of first class cricketer Chris Taylor. Taylor, who is currently on Yorkshire’s books having re-signed for them for the 2008 season following a successful spell at Derbyshire, has joined us principally as a first team player but with a wider remit that will also see him coaching seniors and juniors.

The opening batsman has been signed from fellow JCT 600 Bradford League side Undercliffe and romped the Division 2 batting averages last season, scoring 840 runs in just 14 innings at an average of 76.

Taylor’s first class career has spanned nine seasons after making his Championship debut for Yorkshire in their title winning season of 2001. Prior to this he had represented England at U17 and U19 level having played for Yorkshire throughout the juniors. He has three first class centuries to his name and was the first player in Derbyshire’s history to score a century on one day and first class debut.

Taylor said he is ‘delighted‘ to be joining Lightcliffe. “The foundations are already in place for something special to happen in the near future,” he continued, “Lightcliffe CC has the best pitch in the Bradford League, a consistently successful junior section and most importantly a very close club spirit.”

New first team captain Jonathan Wilson is understandably pleased with one of his first signings since taking over the reigns in September. “This is not only a good signing for the first team it is great for the whole club,” said Wilson, “Chris will be helping me behind the scenes as well as providing coaching for senior players. He will also be providing coaching at junior level, helping the younger end to achieve their potential and bringing through a greater number of players with first team potential.”

Lightcliffe have also signed batsmen Rhys Jowett and Nick Ward as well as bowler Rick Tesseyman, who rejoins the club after a brief spell in the Halifax League with Southowram. It is also reported that progress is being made with one or two other quality signings which the club hopes to announce in early 2010.

The club is also busy seeking new sponsors for the 2010 campaign with club stalwart Roger Stead heading up an active sponsorship group. Various packages are available to any organisations or individuals interested, ranging from match ball to kit sponsorship. Interested parties should call Roger on 07790 009585.

A few members have e-mailed in to ask about a LCC pre Christmas get-together.

And, in the spirit of yuletide happiness, there will indeed be some festive fun and frolics this Saturday evening (19 December) in LCC's local hostelry.

All LCC players, committee and friends are invited to the Sun Inn for some Christmas merriment from 7.30pm onwards.

The idea for this informal Christmas bash came from an LCC parent who wishes to remain anonymous (in case his wife finds out about his plan). A pint to the first person who guesses who it was. Answers on a beermat.

Please pop along to the Sun on Saturday for an hour or two and enjoy some Christmas cheer and catch up on the latest LCC news and gossip.

See you Saturday evening. It promises to be a different kind of Christmas night out.

The complete fixtures for the forthcoming season are now out.

They can be viewed on the JCT 600 Bradford League website at:-

http://www.bradfordcricketleague.org/2010lightcliffefix.html

The opening day of the season sees the first facing Hanging Heaton at Wakefield Road. The seconds travel to Morley.

The third team fixtures will be out in the New Year.

It's the news LCC fans have been waiting for.

We can exclusively reveal that the Yorkshire cricketer Chris Taylor will be playing his cricket at Wakefield Road next season.

Despite formal word of this sensational news, we can reveal that Taylor signed on the dotted line earlier this week and will take up the position of player-director of cricket.

The dramatic signing will help provide a springboard for a promotion push in the 2010 season.

More news on the stand out signing of the close season in the coming weeks.

Do you have any spare or unwanted cricket books or magazines? If so, the University of Huddersfield would like to hear from you!

It has just established the Yorkshire Cricket Collection - and is now on the lookout for paperbacks, hardbacks, pamphlets, brochures, videos, DVDs and other cricketing items.

"This is a new collection and we're keen to reflect the county's cricketing heritage," said University Archivist, Mrs Hilary Haigh. "The University is now an acknowledged centre for cricket research and we hope this collection will be a very useful asset for local cricket researchers."

Over the summer, Mrs Haigh oversaw the renovation and redevelopment of the University Archives and she is delighted about the cricket collection. "We are interested in books about cricket in Yorkshire and also further afield."

In recent years, the University of Huddersfield has become a focal-point for cricket research. The Calderdale and Kirklees Cricket Heritage Project was launched in 2004 and the first Cricket Research Centre in the UK opened earlier this year.

And there are now postgraduate students working on cricket and religion, cricket and regional identity and the social history of cricket in Ireland. Cricket researcher Dr Peter Davies said: "The establishment of the Yorkshire Cricket Collection is a significant development and will be a great boost to local cricket enthusiasts."

If you would like to donate something or you would like to know more about the work of the Cricket Research Centre, please contact Dr Peter Davies on p.j.davies@hud.ac.uk or 01484 472405

LCC will face Keighley in the cup and shield after the draw at the Bradford Cricket League AGM last week.

The first team will make the trip to the rolling hills of Keighley, while the seconds have the home tie.

First team vice-skipper Mark Horne said: "It's a tough test as Keighley are always a hard team to beat on their own ground.

"However, we have a chance of going through and it would be nice to get a bit of a cup run going."

Second team skipper Gaz Stevens said: "I am fairly happy with the draw. Nice to get a home tie. Their seconds had a poor season last year, and will be re-grouping. I am hoping for a victory and aiming to go all the way to the final."

The full draw can be found on the JCT 600 Bradford League website.