White Coppice’s 1st XI captain Jake Smalley is in upbeat mood ahead of the 2025 season.

For the first time in more than a decade, the club have two Saturday teams in the Palace Shield league.

Smalley’s 1st team start their campaign with a tough trip to Longridge 4th while Martin Cuerden’s 2nd XI host Blackpool 4th.

The club is 150 years old in 2025 and has been running a high profile fundraising campaign to raise £150k.

White Coppice received a huge boost when local businessman Tim Knowles, of FI Real Estate Management (FIREM), replaced a leaking septic tank free of charge.

The club had been quoted £29,000 to fix the septic tank, sparking genuine concerns for their future until Knowles stepped in.

On June 22nd, White Coppice will host the MCC in a landmark game during Coppicefest. The MCC will be captained by former White Coppice player Peter Deakin, whose father Reg died last year after a 50-year association with the cricket club.

Smalley said: “The cricket club is looking a picture and we can’t wait for the league season to begin on Saturday.

“When I took on the captaincy I mainly volunteered because I wanted to change the club off the pitch. I felt we were treading water a bit.

“By having a second Saturday team we’re much more attractive to potential new recruits and it shows that we are ambitious in trying to grow the club and make it more stable for the future.

“It’s also a better standard for the players we have as they aren’t playing friendlies and then stepping into the 1st XI.

“Ultimately it gives people regular cricket at a good standard that they can improve by playing regularly. With both teams playing the same day I’m hoping it brings us closer together as a club too.”

Smalley said there was a feel-good factor around the club.

“Getting the septic tank fixed was a huge relief and we’ll always be grateful to Tim Knowles for that,” he said.

“Our groundsman Phil Dewhurst has done a brilliant job on transforming the square and the outfield.

“When we played Darwen in a pre-season friendly on Saturday nearly 370 runs were scored – in April!

“Joe Seager has done a brilliant job revamping our website and social media channels while the committee has been working tirelessly behind the scenes.

“There can’t be many clubs where one of the players puts his hand in his pocket to sponsor the team kit but that’s what Usmaan Akram has done through his business Bike Medic Chorley. It sums up Coppice.

“What’s been really heartening has been the turnout for nets and the two ground days we held in March.”

Several new players have joined the club including Ryan Adderley, from Thornton Cleveleys, and Robert Wood, from Charnock Richard.

Smalley said: “Ryan, Bobby and all the new lads have really bought into what we’re trying to do as a club.

“The exciting thing is we feel we’ve only just started on this journey but it’s really important we give a good account of ourselves on the pitch.”