Bradford league's first coloured kit final

It's all systems go for the first coloured clothing final

Posted July 28, 2006

The Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield final between Bowling Old Lane and East Bierley will create a piece of Bradford League history.

The match at Pudsey Congs' Britannia Ground will be the first in which both teams wear coloured clothing.

Cleckheaton were the first side to wear coloured clothing when they played Bankfoot in the 2003 Priestley Cup second round, but now Bowling Old Lane and East Bierley will have the distintion of featuring in the first coloured clothing game.

Bowling Old Lane will play in navy blue and gold while East Bierley will sport a maroon and yellow outfit.

The match will be played with an orange ball and the two umpires, Julian P Wadsworth and David Dracup will be kitted out in black tops.

All of the kit is being provided by Surridge Sport, who have become official kit suppliers to the Bradford League. Each team gets 16 sets of shirt, trousers and jumper in their respective colours.

Their local representative is the former Yorkshire, Sussex and Middlesex left arm bowler Paul Hutchinson who is currently playing in the Bradford League with East Bierley.

Paul is also working closely with the league with the arrangements for the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final between Woodlands and Bowling Old Lane at Bradford & Bingley's Wagon Lane ground on Sunday, August 27.

In that match Woodlands have selected a maroon and yellow outfit while Bowling Old Lane will again play in navy blue and gold.

Bradford League media and marketing officer Alan Birkinshaw said: "Once all the league clubs had voted and sanctioned the use of coloured clothing in this season's finals things have moved on at a fast pace.

"None of this would have been possible without the considerable help of Surridge along with the massive assistance and enthusiasm we have received from the finalists in the two competitions.

"The clubs have worked really hard to assist us in getting things in place and I am sure the coloured clothing will add to the attraction of the two finals."