Handbook on line 2012 - Forester Kent Cricket League - Uk.net

Kent Cricket
Beckenham
Kent County Cricket Club, Worsley Bridge Road, Beckenham, BR3 1RL
FLt20 2012
@ Beckenham
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Kent County Cricket Club
Chief Executive Officer’s Annual Report
2012
It would be much easier were I to have some
cricketing success to describe, but the 2011
season was extremely frustrating and ultimately
disappointing. The players worked hard to get
results, but they just did not come regularly
enough. The high point of the season was a
fantastic run in the t20 that saw the County reach
the quarter finals. Hopes were very high as we
travelled to Grace Road, and at the halfway stage
with 203 on the board thoughts were turning
again to Finals Day, but once again frustration and
disappointment followed.
Off the field 2011 was a landmark year for the
Club. The first phase of the redevelopment work
was completed by mid-summer and the second
phase commenced soon after the end of the
season. I would like to once again record my
thanks to all those who have made the project
happen. There has been a great deal of hard work,
and we are now starting to see the benefits of
that work. The ground is smart and new revenue
streams are starting to emerge. At last we are
getting close to the stated objective of having a
‘ground of which to be proud’.
Over the last year the Club has been working
to secure planning permission for the County
Ground at Beckenham. In early January
permission was granted to develop the ground
– a development that will see considerable
investment in facilities. These facilities will include
an indoor cricket school, a conference facility,
a spectator stand, an Astroturf hockey pitch as
well as a health and fitness centre. This should
safeguard the Club’s involvement at Beckenham
for a long time to come.
The year cannot pass without mention being
made of the financial position of the Club.
2010-11 was a more encouraging year that
saw a return to profit. This was delivered in no
small part through ECB incentive payments for
ground redevelopment. Had we not got the
redevelopment project started in 2010, these
payments would have been missed as they were
only available for projects started by 2011.
In addition, the commercial team, under the
leadership of Pat Mellsop, had an excellent year,
reversing recent recessionary trends. All counties
continue to be under financial pressure and we
must continue to work hard at ensuring a stable
financial future.
A dark cloud hangs over cricket around the world
at the moment. The ‘spot fixing’ revelations of
the last 18-months have been a major body blow
to the game. Anything that calls into question
the validity of what we watch is a huge threat.
Confidence in the authenticity and integrity of the
contest is essential – without it spectators will
lose interest. It is incumbent then on all of us to
protect the integrity of everything that happens in
the game – the steps taken by ECB, PCA and ICC
therefore are most welcome and as a county we
will fulfil all our obligations within the new Anti-
Corruption Code and rigorously work to ensure
that there is no further damage to the game.
I would like to put on record my thanks to all the
very many people who work so hard to ensure
that the Club runs smoothly. The Committee,
players and staff have all given total commitment
to making the Club stronger. These have been
tough times and hard work has been demanded
of all – as ever this has been undertaken with
good cheer and not inconsiderable effort. This
year special thanks must be given to the Club’s
President – John Shepherd – who was extremely
hard working and an absolute joy to have around.
As I write we are not far away from the earliest
start to the season in the history of county
cricket. For us this will also be a season with a
new Head Coach and several new player signings;
because of this there is a real buzz around the
Club. Certainly the tribulations of 2011 seem
a distant memory already. Jimmy Adams has
worked extremely hard to get the squad ready
for the challenges of the 2012 season – including
a trip to Antigua. I am sure the members and
supporters will get behind Jimmy and the team –
let’s hope it is one to remember.
So another year is about to start and as has
always been the case in the past, hopes are high.
We continue to be a proud Club that has high
expectations. May I wish you a very enjoyable
2012 and thank you for your continued support.
Let’s hope my next report is able to report
something very special.
Jamie Clifford
35
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