Players

With sheer grit and determination, Anuj propelled himself from under 18 bit part player at the start of the season to Sunday Premier Cup Final Man of the Match in August, when, much to the disappointment of the masses of Clifton fans, he chipped a catch to cover when he'd scored 49. It didn't stop the umpires from deservedly awarding him the man of the match performance however, as his 49 was only four short of what the entire Glodwick team managed. Across all formats, his 255 runs were five times his total in 2024 and we are hoping for bigger and better totals in 2026.

Right-Hand Middle-Order Batsman and Right-Arm Bowler. Jack's madcap antics on field are always inspiring and a constant source of amusement. His performances ensure that his team mates are in the bar as quickly as possible. A real motivator for the team who loves to win!

In his final season as a Clifton Junior, Tom made his mark in 2nd and 3rd XI cricket as a prolific and reliable wicket taker collecting 55 wickets, 29 for the 2nd XI at an average a shade over 17 and 26 for the thirds at an excellent 12.3 per wicket. A true opening bowler and number 11 batsman in the Rob Meredith mould, Tom prizes his wicket greatly and occasionally stuns the watching public with some remarkable shots.

23 year old Parikh has played almost his entire cricket career down the road with Winton where he was spotted and included in a number of County Junior set ups. He decided to test himself in the Cheshire County League with Widnes in 2025, but found his opportunities to contribute limited, despite Widnes struggling and being eventually relegated. At the start of July, some gentle persuasion from Sam resulted in his arrival at Manchester Road where the final seven games of the season brought him 12 wickets and 72 runs. We're sure there's much more to come from this talented lad in 2026.

Luke followed big bro Dan into senior cricket in 2025, playing ten 3rd XI games and five 2nd XI outings. His crowning glory came at Radcliffe, the former home of Sir Garfield Sobers, where he posted a sparkling 26 after seven of his team mates failed to reach double figures. Across all his many formats he reached the magical 1000 for the season scoring 1026 runs despite only becoming a teenager mid season. Luke also chipped in with a couple of wickets at 2nd XI level and another one for the thirds.

Right-Arm Pace Bowler and Left-Hand Lower-Order Batsman. Grandson of club Legend, Tony Potter, Lewis has followed in his foot-steps by concentrating on his bowling with some carefully controlled swing-bowling skills earning him selection across 2nd and 3rd teams, but has also developed his batting, notching his first senior half century in 2025.

Originally a junior cricketer alongside his brother, Chris took a step aside until his eldest son Oscar broke through into the senior set up, at which point he decided to clamber into the loft and find the whites once again, ostensibly to 'fill in' when required. He turned out for four second XI and five 3rd XI games in 2025, notching himself a nice half century down at noisy neighbours Swinton Moorside in May. Perhaps we'll see more of him in 2026.

Yet another product of the Clifton Junior Cricket conveyor belt, Ethan, who will not achieve 17 years old until August, saw his batting style catching the eye from an early age, propelling him into senior cricket. In all competitions, Ethan scored over 1500 runs across 2024 and 2025 and will now be looking to build on the impressive 477 second XI runs in 2025, in a higher division. It would also be remiss to ignore his 13 wickets in the 2025 senior teams as I've no doubt he'll be wanting to add to those stats in 2026.

Right-Hand Top order batsman with pedigree at County 2nd Team level with Lancashire. Sam returned to the club after gaining some credible experience in the Liverpool Competition and quickly found himself captaining the side and being named as the club's 43rd Professional.

After coming through the county junior set-up, Fin started his league cricket career in the Lancashire League with Rawtenstall before moving up the road to Bacup and then a season in the Liverpool Comp with Northern before embarking on a remarkable 2023 which saw him play for Northern, Romiley and Formby within the space of two frenetic months! He landed at Edgworth in 2024 where he took 26 wickets, but finding his opportunities limited, he came to Manchester Road last season and exactly doubled that wicket tally. A popular addition to the side, we're hoping that his itchy feet have dissipated and he can add to that tally in 2026.

Right-Hand middle order batsman and Right-Hand pace bowler. A jack of all trades, Jordy excels with bat, ball and is versatile in the field. After wintering in OZ we expect to see a lot more from him this year, hopefully pushing for a 1st XI spot.

The second coming of Ollie Dunn sounds like the title of a B movie but it is in fact a Clifton reality as the former junior took some years off to have a family before returning in 2024. It nearly didn't happen though, as his body seemed to be saying a firm "No way, Jose" as he suffered a number of niggling and painful injuries early season. He persevered however and completed his comeback season with a creditable 175 runs and 14 wickets, earning him the dubious honour of third XI Vice-Captain for 2026.

Sam has flitted between 2nd and 3rd XI principally as a batsman. His past habit of giving his wicket away cheaply seems to be behind him and he posted some decent scores in 2025. After a winter in Oz he will hopefully return a more accomplished player and cement a place in the 2nd XI upper order.

Newly Appointed 2nd team captain and Right-Hand top order Batsman. Steve takes the reins this year in the 2nd team after a successful stint as 3rd XI skipper, and can even get his keeping gloves on if required. Branded as Mr Consistent, Steve celebrated his remarkable weight loss over the winter of 24-25 with 1111 runs in all competitions in 2025. He is never out of a match for too long and can light the fireworks when needed!

Dan's gone from strength to strength earning selection in 2nd team with some impressive batting and bowling performances in 2025's record breaking season. A consistent performer with a excellent signs for the future and potential to break into the 1st XI in 2026. 2025 saw him score 701 runs in the seconds, including a majestic century against Wythenshawe, and a further 319 runs for the thirds. His single outing with the first XI saw an accomplished knock of twenty on a sticky turner at Horwich and across all formats, he emulated his little bro by scoring an impressive 1317 runs. With the ball, Dan captured 32 wickets across second and third XI appearances.

After a successful four year stint at Southport & Birkdale, where he scored almost 3,500 runs in all competitions, Little Hulton lad Jack made the switch back to Salford in 2025, scoring 522 runs and even getting the chance to turn his arm over for a five over spell that he'd sooner forget. A big and bright presence both on and off the field, Jack will be looking to build on 2025 with a big 2026.

Phew! Where to start. I suppose "County Championship Winner" would be appropriate as his county career with Lancashire culminated in that honour in 2011 where he achieved the rare feat of playing in every game of the season. Prior to that, after starting as a diddy little lad at Roe Green he came to Clifton where he worked his way through the juniors before cementing his place in the 1st XI. The Bolton Association wasn't to the liking of the toffs at Old Trafford though, so off he popped to leafy Cheshire, remarkably to Bowden where some years later, Rob Lord went, before he too became a county championship winner with Notts. I digress. After a brief dalliance with Derbyshitre and Cheshire, Gareth returned to Clifton to resume his career in league cricket. He then served as Professional and Captain for eight years, before moving to Flixton who offered greater flexibility allowing him to pursue a career in 1st class umpiring. After scoring over 2,300 runs and taking almost 150 wickets, the call of Manchester Road proved too great and he returns, appropriately, as the senior citizen in a side that, in 2025, had an average age of less than 22.

2nd Team Vice Captain and Right-Hand Middle-Order Batsman/ Right-Arm Off-Spin Bowler. Playing as an all-rounder, this former 1st XI wicket-keeper seems to have it all, winning the bowling award in 2023 and 2025. Liam stepped down as captain after a record breaking 100+ points total in 2025, which saw the side promoted to Division 4.

1st XI middle order batsman captured from Woodhouses CC in 2025 after scoring 393 runs with a top score of 61 against Denton St Lawrence, Ethan will have been disappointed with his 330 runs in his first season at Clifton. He has showed that he has the talent and patience to improve on that stat in 2026 and he is a firm fixture in the 1st XI.

Oscar defied all descriptions of how a 13 year old should be performing, in 2025. After making his 3rd XI debut in late April, six footer Oscar found himself in the 2nd XI in May and played eighteen 2nd and 3rd XI games earning himself a league championship medal with the 2nds and a Cup Winners medal with the 3rds in his first season. He also scored a maiden half century with the bat against Monton and on a remarkable day in September, demolished top of the table Whalley Range with seven wickets for twenty one runs. Finishing the season with 28 senior wickets and 164 senior runs, 2026 will be an interesting watch for the Clifton faithful.

A Left-Arm Spin-Bowling All-Rounder with an ultra-relaxed style, Ben will start 2026 as 1st XI vice-captain. Ben's on-field performances earned him the plaudits last year and he is a previous Jack Johnson Trophy Winner. Ben's laid back style means he's impervious to sledging, but sometimes doesn't even know when it's happening!

Newly appointed 3rd team Captain after serving as vice-captain previously. A useful bowling asset with with some handy lower order runs for his team. With a wedding looming, we hope he won't take his eye off the ball. He's also adamant that he's never lost a T20 game for Clifton. Verification required I think!

We were delighted to prize opening bowler Ollie away from his home town club, Greenfield, where he had played, man and boy, for eight years, in 2024. Having captured 47 wickets playing in the Championship, Ollie stepped up to the plate in the Premier Division with 51 wickets in his first season at Manchester Road. After picking up just three wickets in his first four league games, he grew into the role and took wickets in all but one of his last seventeen games. We fully expect a bagful of scalps in 2026.

Right-Hand Middle Order Batsman and Wicket-Keeper. In Judgey's own words, he's a world-class junior coach and has hardly ever lost a game in his junior coaching career. He's still the only over 40 Wicket-Keeper to play at least three times for 2 separate GMCL Premier League Clubs....or something like that!

Right-Arm Leg Spinner and Middle Order Batsman. Owen is never short of confidence, as you'll no doubt hear around the ground, and is improving year on year with some notable awards at senior level for his wicket-taking capability. A true all rounder, Owen's fielding and catching is up with the best in the club and has notched a number of senior half centuries whilst continuing to take wickets with apparent ease.

Wicket-Keeper and Right-Hand Batsman. A former Jack Johnson Trophy Winner and multiple T20 competition winner in a Clifton shirt, this guy knows what it feels like to win. Especially so in being captain of one of the most talented Under 18's teams that the club has potentially ever seen in 2023, winning all competitions under his leadership.

I've a feeling that the term "young Charlie" is going to stick for the forseeable future for the popular 15 year old who staked his claim for regular inclusion last season, only to pick up a couple of annoying injuries that curtailed his progress. With any luck he'll be delighting his fan club with his 100% effort and commitment in 2026.