IT started as a bet over a pint back in 1963, and now cricketers of Tottington St Johns and Brooksbottom in Bury are about to do battle come rain, snow, ice, fog or howling gales, on Boxing Day for the 50th time.

With two clubs desperate for funds to keep going, it seemed like the last throw of the dice when Brooksbottom took on Alan Fletcher’s audacious challenge as part of a bid to raise much-needed cash.

Back then, Fletcher’s team were Bolton Road Methodists, later to become Elton Vale. When they bowed out of the festive match in 2006, they were replaced by Tottington who have since embraced the traditional fixture with open arms.

Little did Fletcher know, he’d be bowling the first ball of the 50th anniversary Boxing Day match in 2012 to Brooksbottom stalwart Les Deegan, who he also faced half a century ago.

“The truth was that both clubs were skint,” said Fletcher about the first ever match. “Bats were a costly £3 and match balls 10 bob (50p) and annual subsciption were approaching an eye-watering £2, plus, would you believe, umpires were demanding bus fares on top over their over-generous 75p match fee.

“We decided that umpires would only be granted a mug of coffee, mince pie, the probability of pneumonia, and a pat on the back, but postitively no fee.

“Mercifully, there was no shortage of volunteers. Perhaps the match offered an escape route from the hectic domestic aftermath of a fraught Christmas Day.

“On that historic fogbound day, glowing braziers, surrounded by grateful spectators ringed the arena. The unprepared wicket was frozen and decapitation was a distinct possibility.

“In the end, it was a day of rejoicing, if not thanksigivng, with the happy treasurers of both clubs sharing a life-saving profit of £36 and a vow to make the fixture an annual event.”

Significantly, St John’s are also marking their 125th anniversary and the Lancashire Fusiliers Band will trumpet a celebratory atmosphere when the teams commence battle in their T20 contest at Crompton Meadows on the day, starting at 11am.

“It’s a unique fixture,” said St John’s development and child welfare officer Kieran Coe. “It’s been played in all weather conditions and never been called off.

“But you never quite get used to playing a forward defensive shot the day after eating turkey.

“The cameraderie between the players in hostile conditions is great. Yes, it’s competitive, but there’s something very sportsman-like about battling freezing conditions.

“We’re so far away from the cricket season, it’s unusual but appealing.”

Coe agreed the tie would have special significance with Fletcher and Deegan set to confront each other 50 years after playing in the first match.

“I bet Alan never thought when he made that bet over a pint way back then, that we would still be playing the game.

“But it has turned out as an excellent way to raise funds for both clubs, and, back then, it kept two community cricket clubs on their feet.”

Organisers of the match are meanwhile asking for as many past players as possible to go along to be included in an anniversary photograph.