From what I saw of the East Lancs game it has to be said that it was a disappointing performance, all members however remained convinced that Linford will have his boys firing on all cylinders asap. Linford has managed to sustain a broken digit whilst dropping an embarrassingly easy chance. I have to say I didn’t see the chance go down but from what I can gather it ranks up there with John Enty’s dropped catch at East Lancs a decade or two back.

Around that time Hassy and East Lancs were fierce rivals and fought out the title on more than one occasion. We had gone to the “Meadows” in confident mood with our Barbadian fast bowling pro Hartley Leroy Alleyne in dangerous form. Harltey was quick even by first class standards and I should imagine he would have regularly featured in the 85-90 mph zone had speed guns been in operation back then. Because of the quality of West Indian fast bowling talent available around his time Hartley never played Test cricket.

East Lancs batted first and we made early inroads into their top order as they lost their first 3 wickets without a run on the board. A dream start indeed. The Blackburn side then put on a stand and had reached 10 without further loss when Hartley got one to pop and stop and the ball took the shoulder of the bat and gently lobbed up and was around thigh high by the time it had reached the slips. Geoff Boycott’s mum would definitely have caught it in her pinny!! Hartley didn’t see what happened when it reached John at second slip as he had already turned away and started his celebrations. With the celebrations over Hartley realised the batsman was still in situ at the crease and a rather subdued Hassy fielding side who were trying to avoid his gaze, especially Enty. “Howzat” Hartley asked the umpire “not out” came the reply, “why’s that man?” asked the bemused Alleyne, “because he dropped it” replied the shocked umpire. I can’t print what was said next, you will have to use your imagination. We did go on to win the game.

That catch going down has been the benchmark for my generation, if we see a sitter going down then Enty’s howler is always remembered, for Linford to be mentioned in the same breath is indeed an honour.