[Bob Dobson]

The Lancashire League started in 1892 following a meeting in the Commercial, Acc in 1891. A whitewashed line showing the boundary between Acc & Church was already on the lodge wall , probably put there by Churchites who wanted to keep themselves separate from Accrington, whose new corporation wanted to incorporate Church into Acc.
Following the 1892 match, won by Church, the score was whitewashed/painted at the line. After the 1893 match, when Acc won,some Churchites waited at the line for the 2am arrival of the Accy lads, who were intent on setting the record straight. A battle with stones took place, resulting in the Accies retreeating, leaving the chjurchites free to restore the 1892 result.

After that, each year the winning team appeared to have the right to brag in whitewash. until the next match I don't know when it stopped.