Clubs rise to the challenge of Covid-19
April is usually a time when clubs bring to fruition their planning and preparation of the winter months.
Practice sessions switch from indoors to outdoors – once nets have been erected and swept – colts registered and sight screens moved back into position from their winter resting places in time for the first friendlies.
Yet this year it was all very different, as the United Kingdom engages in a lock down to fight Covid-19, no one knowing just how long it will last or if they can look forward to any cricket at all.
Everything is on hold.
Thousands of deaths means sport’s importance is put into context yet concern is great because many clubs have found it hard enough to stay afloat in recent years – some finding it unable to carry on – and some now have even greater fears for their existence.
Bills must still be met, particularly as many clubs play at grounds owned by local authorities who charge rents at commercial levels, without receiving the subscriptions, match fees and bar takings which keep them – just – in the black.
The 2020 season looked all the more exciting for Valley End, who were marking their 125th year by opening a new pavilion. Construction began in October 2018 at the Windlesham Road ground, which they have been developing after outgrowing the delightful but small Woodlands Lane base just round the corner.
The new building, replacing temporary huts which had done willing service on a double ground which has been developing since planning permission was given in 2005, includes four dressing rooms, accommodation for both umpires and scorers and a large function room/bar, the final concreting having recently been completed after extensive rain caused delays during the winter. Completing the project for £650,000 is a fine accomplishment.
James Young, the former chairman who has nursed the scheme throughout and was looking forward to the now-abandoned official opening of April 25, admits: “It’s a blow for us to be delayed, particularly as this is such a big year for us, and it’s a worrying time for all clubs as we don’t know if and when we can play.
“But we’ll be ready to go if and when we do.”
Clubs have taken different approaches to the crisis. Horsley & Send, in Surrey Championship Division Five, have set up a justgiving page after warning that the loss of part or all of the season puts them in “real danger” of folding before the start of next year, an appeal which has been supported by one of their most illustrious old boys, former Surrey captain Adam Hollioake. They have set a target of £26,000 and report a “phenomenal” response for a club which has always been well known for its colts cricket. More details are available via https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/HSCC-COVID19.
It’s been a testing few years at Mitcham, who were once among the primary clubs in Surrey – they have been in existence since 1685 – but now play in the Fuller’s Brewery League and have had to fend off a number of challenges to their existence at The Green. They have admitted they face a potential deficit of £10,000 and “desperately need your held to keep our club alive”. Details at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/mitchamcc/.
In the same league, Ripley are seeking new social members to tide them over in the short-term while down the road Surrey Championship side Guildford must face up to their loss of both their cricket festival – Surrey were due to play Northants in the County Championship from May 15 – and the highly popular Beer Festival which has proved such a success for the past decade and raises much for youth cricket.
Advice is on hand from the Surrey Cricket Foundation, whose Interim Director of Cricket Participation Simon Hards explained: “The recreational game is facing a huge challenge during these unprecedented times with income streams suddenly lost and fixed costs still to be paid for an unknown time.
“We have worked hard to try and ensure that the network is fully informed of the opportunities that exist for financial support during this period and hosted a webinar recently to keep clubs up to speed.
“We have seen clubs benefit from government grants, secure significant fundraising incomes through specific fundraising campaigns and we are now supporting clubs to understand what other funding schemes might enable them to secure survival in 2020. We would encourage any clubs who have not yet been in touch to contact us at foundation@surreycricket.com.”
And he added: “The game is facing its toughest challenge in a generation but we are committed to supporting the network to the best of our ability to ensure that the club network is ready to go whenever we get the green light to play again.”
Every club in the county will be confronting the same issues in different ways and hoping they can get on the field safely and soon.