Joe Crossley

Joe joined Rainhill in 1976, firstly as a 1st XI player. He had previously played in the North Staffordshire League (now the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League). Joe was one of the early members of the “Sunday XI”, which later became Rainhill Recreationals. A useful batsman, Joe was also a handy medium-pace bowler.

Joe took over the captaincy of the Sunday XI in the mid-1990s and continued in this role until retiring from it in 2022. In 2023 he left Rainhill and became a founder member of Mersey Rose Recreationals. Joe is known for his attritional lower-order batting and his determined efforts to ensure that cricket is “a game for everyone”.

Joe has always been committed to challenging elitism and discrimination in sport and a passionate believer in "the game for the game's sake".