English Chess Forum

A strange seeming question this, but with Lancashire back in the NCCU I've been reminded of it again - which county is Warrington in for county chess purposes?

Several of the clubs are north of the river, so definitely historical Lancashire. But obviously the town likes to think that's in Cheshire - and has been there for periods - and then a unitary authority for a while and....
(If it does use the historic boundaries, then Lancs U2050 could get some useful players.).

I have a feeling that the league is affiliated with Cheshire if anyone.

Bristol was created a County in 1373, but never listed as such by the ECF. Players from Bristol are generally eligible for either Somerset or Gloucestershire County based on the criteria for the individual - usually birth, where thay live, go to school/university or where their club is located. Basically split Somerset south of the River Avon and Gloucestershire north.

There have been a few clubs that float either side of the river depending where they can get a venue, but I doubt it has ever been a determining factor. You could be born south of the river, live north of the river and play for a club in Wiltshire - pick your county.

Sounds like Warrington has similar issues, so I doubt there is an easy answer.

Warrington is in Cheshire, but I'd assume quite a few of their players qualify for Merseyside, Manchester and Lancs

Pre 1970s maps generally showed all of Bristol in Gloucestershire, but that was I think as much based in convention as any legal basis.

I believe Bristol was beholden to the Avon lady from 1974 until 1996.

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 12, 2026 11:17 am

Warrington is in Cheshire, but I'd assume quite a few of their players qualify for Merseyside, Manchester and Lancs

With Widnes long since folded I don't think there are any Merseyside teams in the league, oddly enough. Eccles (this year) and Atherton are the overlap with the Manchester league.

The only truly Cheshire team in Div1 seems to be Northwich. Lymm and others lower down.

Then there's the ones that are 'interesting', starting from the most obviously Lancastrian - Skelmersdale, St Helens, Culcheth and Winwick. The latter two being very close to Warrington but firmly to the north if perhaps in some versions of Cheshire

The practical question is whether or not someone living in/playing for one of the clubs in historic Lancashire round Warrington is Lancs qualified or not.

As a resident of Warrington and having represented both Cheshire & North Wales and Lancashire as a junior, it is of little surprise that having returned to the game 30 years later that this discussion around Warrington and county boundaries continues!

Simon Myles wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 13, 2026 9:05 am

As a resident of Warrington and having represented both Cheshire & North Wales and Lancashire as a junior, it is of little surprise that having returned to the game 30 years later that this discussion around Warrington and county boundaries continues!

True

If historical Lancashire was treated consistently with the precedent from Greater Manchester then you'd still be able to play for Lancashire but me & Simeon couldn't.
(Winwick & Culcheth are both just in ceremonial Cheshire.).

But I doubt if anyone ever made a ruling about it for Warrington.

Since the league is attached to Cheshire, all the clubs presumably are, pretty daft for (eg) Atherton but whatever. All their players are probably technically qualified for every county going.

Not that Cheshire are fielding any teams this year, Lancashire are and with most of their major cities removed they could do with some more players.