Lancashire Cricket takes control of Farington site

Lancashire Cricket has formally taken control of Farington, the site of the club’s new second home.

The handover from Eric Wright Construction on Monday 9 February comes just over two-years on from the commencement of their work on the site which began in November 2023.

Club officials - including chief executive Daniel Gidney and interim chair Dame Sarah Storey - were joined by representatives from Lancashire County Council and Eric Wright Construction for Monday's handover.

Developed alongside Lancashire County Council at Farington in Central Lancashire, the new facility is set to bring together elite and community cricket in one high-quality location.

It will also become a Women’s Centre of Excellence for the North West region and will help Lancashire Cricket continue to bring through both men’s and women’s cricketers of the future.

The facility features two cricket ovals - with the professional oval set to host a number of men’s and women’s competitive matches each year. The second oval will support community, recreational and youth cricket, activated by Lancashire Cricket Foundation.

In between both ovals, a pavilion building has also been built to provide four changing rooms and fitness facilities for players, in addition to both outdoor and covered net facilities for training.

Having now taken control of the site, the club will continue work across the professional oval and in the Pavilion with the ambition to host two men’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup matches at Farington during the 2026 season.

The club will issue a further update on a venue for the matches against Kent Spitfires and Notts Outlaws on Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 July once further preparation work has taken place.

Dame Sarah Storey, Lancashire Cricket’s interim chair, said: “This is another landmark day for this historic project, as the club officially takes control of Farington following the handover from our partners at Eric Wright Construction.

"Reaching this stage is a huge moment for Lancashire Cricket and reflects years of planning and collaboration alongside Lancashire County Council and the ECB.

“It has been incredible to witness the transformation of the site in a little over two years, from open fields into a purpose-built cricket facility of outstanding quality.

"The progress made is a real testament to the expertise and commitment of Eric Wright Construction, and we are extremely grateful for their support and professionalism throughout the process.

“Farington is set to be a true gamechanger for Lancashire Cricket, supporting the growth of the game across all levels - from community and pathway cricket through to our professional programmes.

"As our new second home, it will play a vital role in the club’s future, and we are incredibly excited to see it host its first matches and activities later this year.”

County Councillor Brian Moore, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “Yesterday’s handover marks a major step forward for the Farington project, creating a landmark facility that will transform opportunities for cricket across Lancashire.

"With professional standard pitches, state-of-the-art training areas, and dedicated community spaces, the site will offer opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.

“It will support the continued growth of Lancashire Cricket - including its development as a North West Centre of Excellence for the women’s game - while boosting local wellbeing, strengthening community pride, and contributing to the county’s economy through jobs and long-term investment. We’re proud to see this pioneering facility taking shape in the heart of Lancashire.”

John Hartnett, managing director at Eric Wright Construction said: “Our completion of the new Farington Cricket Ground for our partners, Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Cricket Club, is a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and resilience the team has shown throughout the projects journey.

"This development creates a lasting sporting legacy for Farington and the wider Lancashire cricket community. 

“By combining professional-grade facilities with inclusive community spaces, the project ensures the venue will serve elite cricket, grassroots participation, and spectators for many years to come.

"We are proud to have played a lead role in delivering a venue that reflects the quality and ambition of cricket in Lancashire.

"The Farington facility sets a new benchmark for modern cricket infrastructure, supporting both high-performance sport and community engagement.”