What an extraordinary year we have had – mostly off the pitch! But well done the Committee and Match Managers – particularly those with midweek games – for fielding good teams, once the ECB gave the green light for play to go ahead. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to JP Getty’s ground and although we were beaten by a strong team (many of whom had served with the Chairman around the world), it was a very good game. Even better news was the fact that we would be welcome for a return match.
In mid-June 2020, Elizabeth Ammon wrote a prescient article for The Times on amateur cricket starting with the fact that all clubs should have been capitalising on the previous year’s dramatic World Cup victory and Ben Stokes’ heroics at Headingley. Instead, many were threatened with extinction due to loss of income from membership fees, bar takings, holiday camps and sponsorship. Overheads remained: ground staff; insurance; clubhouse and equipment maintenance. The ECB and Sports England offered financial support to grass root clubs and no doubt many of our opponents applied. As a wandering side, we were extremely lucky not to be affected in the same way and if all goes well, we should be back in harness late April 2021.
One aspect of the Club that has come on in leaps and bounds is the management and use of the website. This is now a great help to match players and captains, and there is enough detail for anyone wishing to watch a game to arrive at the right place at the right time. The quality of the post-match reports remains remarkably high and the content is much appreciated; they are amusing and informative for those whose playing days are over but retain an interest in the Club.
Sadly, over the past twelve months we have lost a number of stalwart members who, in their playing days, were superb ambassadors for our Club. As you read on, you will find a number of outstanding obituaries covering their achievements either side of the boundary line. My thanks to the thoughtful and diligent authors who have so succinctly summed up the impressive lives of those who have sadly left the field of play.
I wish you all a very successful 2021 season – if and when it gets off the ground!
Billy King-Harman