Duffield Chairmans End of Year Report || Duffield Cricket Club - The Official website of Duffield Cricket Club. News and Message Boards. For true Duffield Cricket Club fans.

football

cricket

rugby union

other

8th Jan 2009

Who Is Online?

Users on the network

now
Most users at one time

Users on this site

now

Where are they?

Duffield CC

Duffield Chairmans End of Year Report
By Dick Mills - September 18 2003
It what was a highly successful year for the club, Dick Mills provides his considered opinions, and his ambitions for next season. >

Another season draws to a close. Once more it has proved to be a very successful time. The first team have surpassed all expectations finishing 5th in County League Division One. This is the highest the club has ever finished since moving from the Central Derbyshire League. The second team were unfortunate not to gain promotion, but with the same approach and positive attitude that they have shown this year I feel sure they will be vying once more for promotion next year. What has been exceptional this year has been the team spirit and it is that which has carried them through both success and disappointment.

I would like to thank everybody who has played for the club over the season. There are certain people who I cannot help but mention. Our Australian, Kris has again been outstanding, not only in his cricketing ability but his positive attitude and the way that he has fitted into the club. Congratulations are due to Kris on reaching 1000 runs. However it was not a one-man effort as every member of the side produced a positive performance at some time during the season. I would mention Richard Jordan who came into the first team and bamboozled the opposition with his flight and guile. Finally thanks go to Ed Sims and Dave Stevenson, captains of the first and second teams respectively who set a fine example both on and off the field.

The players have looked as though they belong to the club this year with club shirts and caps sponsored by the Viceroy Restaurant. A very big thank you to them for supporting us and having confidence in the club.

Other people I would like to thank are those who have scored throughout the season for both teams, Brian Sims, Stuart Poyner and Poyner Junior. Then there were those stalwarts, Sally Bygraves, Jill Saunders and Mark Antill who produced excellent teas for the players. Finally it would not be possible to play if we did not have pitches to play on so thanks are due to Keith and Robin Stevenson for their sterling efforts and the few who sat on the roller. The pitches played increasingly well as the season progressed.

Before leaving the cricket I cannot but mention the juniors who again were a credit to the club. The junior section is thriving and is beginning to be a major part of the club rather than a bolt on. Thanks are due to Rob Barber and his team who have been there to coach and support the youngsters.

We need to look to the future even as the season ends. We cannot stand still otherwise we will stagnate; therefore we have a number of targets to achieve. Due to the strengths of our juniors we have entered a third team in the league and this will allow some of us older members to help them develop as cricketers. It is something the club had to do and I am looking forward to this development.

A third team plus all the junior teams will put increased pressure on our practice facilities, which are overstretched as it is. Therefore we have been putting efforts into raising funds through various grants. To get reasonable practice facilities will cost in the region of £16,000. We need all the help we can get to raise this money but it is essential to have this in place before the start of the next season. If you know of anybody who would like to sponsor the club or contribute in any way to the running of the club please let me or any member of the committee know. Beside those two developments there will be continued renovation of the pavilion throughout the winter. We are desperate for new doors for the pavilion to both upstairs and downstairs entrances but at £1,700 it is a fairly prohibitive price.

If we are to continue to develop as a club then we have to attract playing and non-playing members. We have been fortunate to have had an outstanding overseas player for the last two years and we would love to have him back. Kris cannot return on a work visa so we can only have him over again if we can find a company that will sponsor him for the six-month period. We would like him back and he would like to join us again next season so we are keeping our fingers crossed that we can find a willing sponsor.

It is our 125th anniversary and we are holding a celebratory dinner at the County Ground on Saturday 18th October. The cost is £25; there will be a string quartet and a jazz band. The dress is black tie or lounge suit. Please come along, as it is a special occasion and a chance to support your club and meet old friends. Please make cheques payable to Duffield Cricket Club, and send to Ian Hadfield, 41 Wirksworth Road, Duffield, Belper, Derbyshire. For further information please contact Ian at the above address or on Derby 841023.

Once more thanks to everyone who contributed to such a successful season. Have a good close season and come out raring to go next April.

Dick Mills