Big appeal for more umpires

YOUR LEAGUE NEEDS YOU: umpire numbers have fallen in the Saddleworth League.

CRICKET: THE Saddleworth and District Cricket League are facing a serious shortage of umpires.

The league requires 24 for every match-day, but numbers on some occasions this season have sunk to the late teens.

Three of the six second XI games were without an official on June 26.

And the situation is set to get even worse when Micklehurst join the league next year — there would be an even number of teams so no open dates — unless more can be found.

League umpires’ secretary Peter Darby is already bringing in officials from other competitions to help out.

He says umpires are out there, but for one reason or another — some have packed up because of the hassle they get from players on the field — are choosing to stay on the sidelines.

Mr Darby said: “It’s frustrating when I see former umpires watching games.

“Even if they did five or six matches during the season, that would help alleviate a lot of the problems.

“The trouble is some umpires can only do Saturdays, others may have to work weekends a

couple of times a month, and then there are holidays and sickness. It all adds up.”

Mr Darby, an umpire for eight years, would like to see more players don the white coat, but admits persuading them to join the ranks is easier said than done.

He added: “Players have seen close up what umpires have to do and contend with and probably don’t fancy it, which is a pity.”

Umpires courses are staged in the run up to Christmas and in the New Year. If anyone is interested in booking a place, call Mr Darby on 01457 876489.