Merseyside Cricket Umpires Association

30 Oct 2019

The L&DCC have just announced the following regarding details about the start date for the 2020 season and dates for Cup competitions -

​

The start and finish dates of the 2020 League season have been set as follows:

​

Week 1: Saturday 25 April/Sunday 26 April

Week 22: Saturday 19 September/Sunday 20 September

​

Taking account of recurrent views from the four recent open forums there will no longer be a “cup” week within the Saturday league programme.

​

All cup games will be on Sundays (with the Ray Digman and Ray Tyler cups fixtured on different days).

​​

14 Oct 2019

At the recent end of season meeting the MCUA Umpire of the Year awards were presented to the three divisional winners.

​

In the Premier Division the winner of the Dave Jones Shield was Ian Laurence.

​

For the First Division the winner of the Peter Freeman Shield was Phil Luxon.

​

While in the Second Division the winner of the Ian Shepherd Shield was Les Knowles.

​

The awards are all based on the Captains' marks from the three respected divisions.

In all three divisions the competition was extremely strong and MCUA would like to congratulate Ian, Phil and Les for being worthy winners.

Pictures of the presentation evening can be found under the events tab on the website's home page.

16 Sep 2019

MCUA is pleased to announce the next Merseyside Stage 1 umpires course is scheduled for 22nd September at Bootle CC.

​

The course is being delivered by John Farrell and Ian Laurence and for more information please see:
 

https://booking.ecb.co.uk/c/express/35150685-e514-4db2-9e29-54236a94fe7e
 

@LancashireACO
 

@LancsCricketFDN
 

@McuaSocial
 

@lpoolcomp
 

#bestseatinthehouse

03 Jul 2019

Our dear friend, and former MCUA member, the Reverend Roger Driver, has achieved a long term ambition since he began to umpire.

Roger has been asked to umpire for the Archbishop of Canterbury's X1 against the Vatican cricket team in Rome. Roger and the team flew to Rome of the 1st July.

Roger's selection came about following a chance meeting at a conference with someone who turned out to be the captain of the Archbishop's cricket team.

Whilst chatting, Roger explained that as well as being a vicar he was also a cricket umpire. Things moved on and he ended up having an invite to accompany the team to Rome.

Roger is currently Rector of the Benefice of St. Michael Without, Bath. He umpires in the West of England Premier League.

Congratulations to Roger

​

03 Jul 2019

On Saturday 13th July, Stephen Fildes will be stand in his 600th match as a cricket umpire. 

​

Born in Australia, Stephen commenced Umpiring in 2009 after participating in just over 400 matches as a player. In 2014 started umpiring in the United Kingdom and from 2015 Stephen joined MCUA to officiate in the Liverpool Competition.

​

In total, the breakdown in umpiring is: - Australia - 306, England - 293

​

In what spare time he has left, Stephen is also currently a volunteer at the Cricket World Cup based at Old Trafford and was also a volunteer in the 2015 Cricket world cup in Australia.

​

We wish Stephen good luck for his 600th match and we look forward to him officiating in many more games in the years to come.

​

14 Jun 2019

As MCUA Welfare Officer I have created a Wattsapp Page Entitled "MCUA Welfare".  This is for all Members to keep me in touch with matters relating to Welfare of our Umpiring Body.  To join the Group you will need to have the Wattsapp App on your phone and supply me with your mobile number.  This can be done by sending a text to my mobile phone 07939 738 163 with your name and that you agree to join the MCUA Welfare Group.  I will acknowledge receipt.

​

Consideration is being given by the Management Committee to use this form of communication for other aspects of running MCUA.

​

It is hoped that ALL Members will join this Group and keep me posted about any of our Members who are ill, long term injured or sick or who require our help with matters appertaining to Welfare.

.Mike Dixon

Treasurer & Welfare Officer

MCUA

12 Jun 2019

Dear Colleagues,

I have received the following email from John Williams regarding the supply of Liverpool Competition Umpire Coats.

​

If anyone would like to purchase a coat then the details are shown below. 

Please note that you need to order and pay for these coats via the L&DCC and NOT MCUA.

David Laybourne.
 

Liverpool Competition Umpires Coats

Further to the presentation at the umpires Meeting I apologise for the delay but the first batch of reversible jackets have now arrived and are ready for distribution.

Regrettably in the hullabaloo around the cost and ordering at the end of the meeting, I have mislaid the details of those placing orders – a figure which exceeded the amount being produced in the first batch. We do however, have immediately available the following jackets:

1 x Medium

3 x XL

1 x 2XL

1 x 3 XL

These can be ordered from me – johnawilliams1@btinternet.com - on a first come first served basis – for the sum of £40. I will arrange delivery and payment should then be made by direct bank transfer to the Liverpool Competition:

Sort Code 80-11-00            Account No: 06071398

Please note:

Additional jackets can be ordered this season at the same cost, using the above email address, with a 4/6 week delivery time.

The initiative to introduce our own league umpires jacket was a late one just before the start of the season and we are grateful to ICON Sports for producing them for us at a reduced cost. We are aware of other leagues providing them for their umpires through sponsorship and we will do our level best to do the same, through sponsorship, for our umpires for the 2020 season.

Regards

John Williams

Chairman Liverpool Competition. 

​

27 May 2019

​

Tatenda Taibu to promote autobiography at Liverpool Cricket Club 

Tatenda Taibu, in partnership with Futura Sports, is hosting a 'meet the author' event to promote his new autobiography 'Keeper of Faith' during Lancashire's county game at Liverpool Cricket Club next week (4th June 2019).

The former Zimbabwe skipper, who played over 200 times for his country, and also holds the record as the youngest ever Test captain, will be talking about his tough upbringing in Harare’s Highfield township, his early breakthrough into international cricket as an 18 year old and dealing with significant controversy and conflict, which ultimately led to his early retirement at the age of 29.
 

The book also lifts the lid on a number of startling chapters in his life, ranging from death threats to his family to his uncovering of serious fraud within Zimbabwe Cricket, which put him at odds with an administration that became increasingly difficult to work with or trust at any level.

Coming full circle and having witnessed - and played a part in - his country’s more recent endeavours both on and off the field, including their near-failure to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, Tatenda is also well-placed to offer his views on the current state of play, as well as the wider political picture in his beloved Zimbabwe.

Tatenda is well known in local cricket circles having played for Hightown St Mary's CC and now Formby CC. 

This 'up close and personal' event, which will include an open Q&A session with the audience, is a great opportunity to find out more about the player and his fascinating life and career. Tickets, which include a copy of his new book, are priced at just £15 and are strictly limited, so please do book early (using the link below) to reserve your place.

Venue: Liverpool Cricket Club (Dougall Lounge)
Date: Tuesday 4th June
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Ticket price: £15

Tatenda will also sign any books and is available for photos etc.

Booking link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-withtatenda-taibu-tickets-62259551996

For further information please contact 07795 440495.

David Laybourne.

10 May 2019

As I will now be domicile within the UK for the foreseeable future I will be dedicating more of my time to my role as Welfare Officer of MCUA.  Can I ask that if you hear of any Colleagues that are ill, sick or injured can you please let me know via my mobile number 07939 738163 or email mikedixon21954@gmail.com

​

This is a very important role within MCUA and I need to be updated with matters relating to Colleagues wellbeing.

​

I look forward to your support in this matter.

​

Mike Dixon.

Welfare Officer/Treasurer

10 May 2019

​

​

The unbelievable talent and gentleman that is Mark Wilkie announced this week that he is retiring from competitive cricket and becoming an Umpire after hip surgery.  I'm sure that you will all welcome him onboard MCUA and he will no doubt add to our ever growing list of professional and dedicated Officials.  I for one am looking forward to observing him from the "box".

​

Mike Dixon.

Welfare Officer/Treasurer.