The most difficult aspect of this exercise is separating the men you saw play from the ones you didn't, for all their attributes and the stories told about them. I’ve probably failed dreadfully, but my gut instincts bring up the following names. I make no apologies for my favourites, all of whom have always been worth the entrance fee.

1. Michael Atherton: Patience of Job and fine stroke-player who took on the best with aplomb.

2. Cyril Washbrook: Compiler of 76 hundreds in his first-class career, represented Lancashire with distinction between 1933 and 1959, captaining in his final six years, and an England player from 1937 to 1956. Club president 1989-1990.

3. Eddie Paynter: My grandad told me he “were just a little ‘un but could bang it into’t centre o’Manchester”.

4. John Crawley: Who knows what records this man would have achieved at Old Trafford if he hadn’t fallen out with the club. Master of the big century and no more elegant player to watch.

5. Clive Lloyd: As big a hitter as has been seen, a panther in the field and, until injuries took a toll, a useful purveyor of a wobbly ball.

6. Farokh Engineer: Delightful batsman to watch and no mean wicketkeeper.

7. Andrew Flintoff: Time and injuries will tell whether the big man becomes one of the best in history.

8. Wasim Akram: A model of left-arm swing who provided blueprint for many modern-day bowlers, particularly from sub-continent.

9. Johnny Briggs: Left-arm spinner with career tally of more than 2,200 wickets that tells its own story, and at under 16 per victim. Scorer of ten centuries, including one in Test match.

10. Muttiah Muralitharan: Has taken controversy over action in his stride and a phenomenon as spin bowler.

11. Brian Statham: Fred Trueman got all the plaudits at Test level but if you missed one from this man, it would hit.

My favourite XI

1. Michael Atherton: I always thought the team were in good hands when this man was at the crease. A study in technical efficiency and had his moments when aggression was required.

2. Graeme Fowler: As a young lad, Graeme came to the crease as a tailender in a last-day Roses run chase. Swiped a six to swing game firmly Lancashire’s way and became a dashing opener for England.

3. Harry Pilling: No contest. Vastly underestimated nurdler of runs and also great company propped up at a bar. Witness: “Would love to squeeze the cheeks of your wife’s bum before I leave. Do you mind?” “Better ask her,” I said.

4. Clive Lloyd (captain): There used to be another big West Indian who always stood underneath the scoreboard by the side of the railway (now tram) station at Old Trafford yelling: “Hit me on de head, Clivey baby.” He came close on innumerable occasions.

5. Neil Fairbrother: Few players have been able to pace an innings like this left-hander. An absolute joy to watch and his diminutive frame belied an ability to hit a big ball. Brilliant in the field.

6. Farokh Engineer (wicketkeeper): Wonderfully entertaining batsman who still turns heads when he visits Old Trafford. Equally at home opening in one-dayers or in middle order in longer game. Also a better ’keeper than given credit for.

7. Andrew Flintoff: A giant of the modern game. Pity his Lancashire appearances are so sporadic. Empties the bars wherever he goes, whether batting or bowling, and is also a splendid slip fielder.

8. Wasim Akram: When Lancashire needed almost ten an over with three wickets left to beat Worcestershire in a B & H semi-final in 1995, he ran amok. “Wasim for England” was the cry after a famous victory. Served the county with distinction for a decade.

9. Ian Austin: From club player to a man for the big occasion. You can't help but admire this fellow. Worked extremely hard to be rewarded eventually with a World Cup call-up. Brilliant swing bowling in mid-nineties Lord’s finals and couldn’t half belt a ball as well.

10. Jack Simmons: There have been better spinners but “Flat Jack” is a Lancashire legend. Training regime of fish and chips and usually seen with a racing paper in the pavilion. Now chairman and indefatigable champion of the cause.

11. Peter Lever: Had to serve his time behind the likes of Statham and Higgs but became pretty fearsome leader of the attack. Long, curved run with blond hair flapping in the breeze, he could bowl at express pace when the mood took.