Couple lording it up as community champions

John Lees.

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A CENTURY scoring couple of Glodwick Cricket Club stalwarts have been bowled over by a special accolade which will see them both dining at the House of Lords today.

Groundsman John Lees and his partner, long-serving volunteer Lilian Pearce, have been crowned Community Champions by Barclays Spaces for Sports and the Football Foundation for their services to Oldham sport.

Both have been deemed outstanding examples of those who represent hundreds of dedicated people — over half of them volunteers — who make an amazing contribution to local Barclays Spaces for Sports facilities.

John has given a lifetime of service to the club and began playing there in 1958, back when his father played for and worked at Glodwick.

During his time at the club he has voluntarily filled nearly all the administrative roles, and nowadays he is in charge of outfield maintenance.

Lilian has also dedicated many years of her life to the club and began her involvement as a young hockey player 65 years ago.

Since then she has taken on a number of roles during her time at the club including helping with the catering. Her cups of tea are famous amongst the local sporting fraternity!

Between them they have given over 100 years of volunteering to the club which today proudly boasts half a dozen junior teams with 50-60 juniors playing cricket most evenings. The men’s first XI was recent Division 1 title winners.

John still plays occasionally and recently made a match-winning catch!

John said: “Myself and Lilian are very honoured to have been selected to represent our Glodwick Cricket Club. We have both been involved with the club for a number of years and have seen first hand the improvements that have been made thanks to Barclays and the Football Foundation funding.

“I have filled a number of roles at the club and still play a bit when I can. The way the club has been able to offer more cricket and become a bedrock of the local community has been great to see.”

Lilian added: “I have been helping at Glodwick Cricket Club for as long as I can remember, ever since I played hockey here.

“I have been very grateful to Barclays and the Football Foundation for helping us provide the club with the facilities that we all now enjoy. These have helped us attract more players to the club and allowed more children and adults to keep active.”