A CRICKETER who spent a weekend riding around East Lancashire's Cricket grounds to raise money for charity has blasted his fellow sportsmen for not backing his fund-raising drive.

Accrington Cricket Club third team player Mark Croasdale took to the road and cycled between all 14 Lancashire League cricket club grounds last weekend.

He had hoped he would be greeted and supported at every ground by his regular cricket opponents, who, he hoped, would help send his charity drive for Macmillan nurses through the roof.

But, to his disappointment, when he arrived at many of the grounds, nobody had even turned up to greet him, despite him ringing them in advance to tell him would be there.

Mark, of William Street, Accrington, also hit out at some grounds where he wasn't even offered a drink when he called -- even though there was a match in full flow. The 37-year-old said: "I know I started early in the morning, 6am, but the event was well publicised and I thought the least they could was make sure someone was there to greet me.

"Some of the clubs didn't even offer me a drink."

Despite his surprise at the reaction of his fellow sportsmen, Mark is pleased at the way the event went overall. He added: "I am very pleased I have done it, although I wasn't thinking that when I was riding between Bacup and Todmorden because that bit was very tough!

"My club, Accrington, has been really good and sponsored me.

"They lined the road when I returned back to Accrington on the Sunday evening. I am still working out how much I raised but I am sure it will have been worthwhile."

A spokesman for the Lancashire League said: "We informed all clubs that this event was taking part and asked them to make Mark welcome so it does surprise us that he is saying this." None of the 14 clubs Mark visited had people available for comment yesterday.