Posted by Tony Hutton
The recent announcement that Radio Leeds will no longer be providing coverage of local league cricket on Saturday evenings during the summer months is apparently part of the cost cutting exercise by the BBC, although one would have thought that the costs involved were quite minimal.
There is of course a greater threat to local radio in general and the writing has been on the wall for some time for this programme since the advent of summer rugby league which often interrupted the cricket coverage.
However it will be a real body blow for the many enthusiasts who follow league cricket in Yorkshire, with the live commentaries and results sequence providing a unique and comprehensive service.
The programme had been running for about thirty years I would think under a series of sports editors such as John Helm, Harry Gration,Steve Coverdale, Tom Schofield, Dave Callaghan and Derm Tanner. The list of contributors is even longer with many of the names evoking vivid memories of their unique commentary styles.
The leagues covered were the Airedale and Wharfedale League, Bradford League, the Central Yorkshire League, the Huddersfield Leage, the Leeds League (before it ceased to exist) and the Yorkshire Premier League.
I got to know many of the contributors during my time with Leeds Hospital Radio and one of my early favourites was the late Jack Wainwright, himself a former player, who covered the Bradford League with great knowledge as he did with his rugby league commentaries. He was followed by Ross Johnson and Ralph Middlebrook, who could not always disguise his affinity with Pudsey Congs.
Trevor Kaye and Paul Whiteley did many years of service on behalf of the Huddersfield League, to be followed by League President Roger France, who had a very unique style of his own. Stan Dawson, a great enthusiast, was for many years the voice of the Leeds League and Howard Clayton, former league secretary, seemed to have been reporting on the Airedale and Wharfedale League for ever.
Another great favourite of mine, and a good friend too, was the one and only Peter Snape, league cricket correspondent of the Yorkshire Post. It might be said that his writing on cricket was better than his broadcasting abilities, but his immense knowledge of league cricket and his ability to bring out exactly the right phrase to describe a situation brought great authority to everything he did. Peter covered the Central Yorkshire League and it was once reported that his famous flat hat had been auctioned at the league dinner !
Peter was followed by John Skelly who has done an excellent job for the Central Yorkshire League over many years now. A very competent broadcaster, after his early spell as speedway correspondent, his voice was always one of the easiest to listen to.
Another great favourite was the late John Herbert, who covered the Yorkshire league.
A man of many parts he could make the dullest game seem exciting, with his great ability for telling a tale, usually with a humourous twist.
The following story from an early league cricket programme, was told by Tony Chalk, who for many years anchored the programme in the studio.
I think the club involved could have been Slathwaite or should I say Slawit, but the story went like this:-
'So what's the latest then Fred? ' enquired Harry Gration.
'Oh still 'angin on - they're 113-8 now,' came the response.
'And how many overs to go?' 'Just a sec ....six and a bit'
'Well they're obviously not going to get anywhere near the target of 206 then'
'Nah, they've never bin in wi' a chance.....'
Suddenly a loud cheer drowns Fred's measured comments. Harry interjects.
'Well that sounds like another wicket down Fred - only one more to fall now'
'Wain't a wicket, that,' retorts Fred, 'That were Bert - just dropped t'jackpot on t'machine!'
That really sums up the humour and entertainment which so often came through. The final thanks must go to another man, who seems to have been involved for ever, Ian Chappell, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Cricket Board, who in recent years often seemed to carry the programme single handed in the studio.
A sad end to a great institution which has enriched the life of all league cricket enthusiasts in West Yorkshire for so long.
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