THE ill-fated 40-over competition in the Bolton and District Cricket Association last year recalled memories of the Vimto Trophy and in the next two articles we will look at the history of the Competition.

I was recently asked whatever became of the Vimto Trophy.

Before I answer that question, we should ask “what was the Vimto Trophy?”.

J N Nichols PLC, manufacturers of Vimto soft drinks became the first sponsors of the Association.

The sponsorship lasted for 13 years (1986-1999), and integral to the deal was the creation of the Vimto Trophy.

The main point was that it was a knock-out competition for amateurs only. This was popular with the players as some professionals tended to dominate the batting and bowling.

The games were restricted to 40 overs per side, with no bowler bowling more than eight overs.

Matches had to be decided on the scheduled date. In rain-affected games, reduced overs would be applicable, so that each side should receive equal number of overs.

A minimum of 10 overs was required for a match to be played, and if no play was possible, the match was to be decided by a bowl out, each player bowling one ball.

During the League season, there was a Vimto player of the week Award, the winner receiving a monetary amount.

Incidentally, the first recipient was Andy Kilner of Clifton, although probably more well-known for his stint as a player and coach of Stockport County.

The sponsorship was extended to Junior Cricket with monthly awards to junior individuals and clubs. Whereas the club involved received a payment, the players received varying numbers of cans of Vimto.

For the first five years of the competition, the number of clubs competing was augmented by members of the Second Division of the Association. The years 1986-1988 saw 14 member clubs and two Division Two clubs competing on a straight knock out basis.

With the departure of Roe Green and the demise of Barton Hall (replaced by Golborne) three clubs from the second Division took part in 1988 and 1989. During these five years, Bolton Indians qualified on four occasions.

The decision to disband the Second Division with effect from the end of the 1990 was a difficult one. The Vimto Trophy was now restricted to the senior Clubs, with a necessity for byes as the Association varied from 13 to 15 clubs.

As the Association grew and dates for more League games were required, the attraction for the competition began to wane with successful clubs playing almost every Saturday and Sunday. Adlington won the League and Vimto Trophy in 1998 and I remember games against Spring View on a Friday (Vimto) , league games on Saturday (Darcy Lever), Sunday (Standish) and Standish again on the Monday in the VT semi-inal.

In the later years, it was shoe-horned into the final Sundays of the season. Indeed, in the last year of Vimto involvement, the competition was scrapped and the major Cup competition became the Cross Cup (sponsored by Vimto). In the next article, we will look at performers and successful clubs. And we will give the answer to what happened to the Vimto Trophy.