Dear Member,
Following our recent AGM and with Easter just around the corner, it is time to start thinking of the new season and the prospect of warmer sunny days. The winter has been a meteorologically aggressive one but despite that the ground is looking in good shape.
I thoroughly enjoyed my second season as chairman and with great support on and off the field we have moved the club forward in many ways.
Last Season
Last season was another challenging one for the Club on the pitch. Our association with Old Freemen’s continued to flourish, with the combined HOF 1st XI competing manfully and successfully in the second half of the season to avoid the ignominy of relegation. Despite some tough games what struck me in the games I played was the positive spirit and camaraderie. With an improved availability I can see us competing in the top half of the league in 2009.
For the 2nd XI the season was a tough one competing in the 2nd division against, in the main, 1st XI’s. Despite sometimes horrendous availability issues the side competed well in many games and strove successfully to bloody the nose of several of the mightier opposition sides.
The Sunday side maintained its mission of winning more than they lose and managed to pick up a number of new players. What was also pleasing was the improved cross over between the Saturday and Sunday sides. It is vital that to continue our success we have a pool of players, of all abilities, happy to play on either day depending on their availability. What we don’t really want are too many players who see themselves only as a Saturday or only as a Sunday player.
Captains
Tom Haywood succeeding his father as captain struggled with his own availability due to his employment getting in the way of cricket. Mark Hopper, in particular, and a couple of other seasoned pros stood in all several occasions to ensure a competitive and well organised side always took to the field. The Tom Haywood/Mark Hopper combination are continuing into 2009 and we can only benefit from the consistency this gives us.
In the 2nd XI it is impossible to stress how the commitment of Wally Hammond contributed to the side. With availability up and down like a yo-yo, Wally was often pulling the proverbial rabbit from a variety of hats. He was assisted week in week out by Keane Mitchell and David Richardson. Going into 2009 we are fortunate to have Wally in 2nd team command again with the assistance this season of Alan Clarke.
Phil Chapman has captained the Sunday side for about 5 years but regrettably the pressures of marriage and employer have prompted Philip to announce his captaincy retirement. I’m sure you would join me in thanking Philip for his massive contribution to the Headley cause over the years and wish him well in his captaincy retirement. I’m pretty sure he will miss the weekly chase for players and a volunteer to make the teas, and volunteer to captain on a guest basis. In the absence of any willing volunteer a number of the Sunday regulars have agreed to rotate the captaincy until a natural emerges.
Secretary
Anjai has done a stunning job as club secretary bringing real professionalism to the role and the way he has dealt with the conversion of the club to become a limited company is laudable in the extreme. I am delighted that Anjai is continuing in the role.
What has most impressed me is Anjai’s attitude to improving the club for insiders and outsiders and this is best demonstrated by his development of a Headley Cricket Club website which from the simple borrowing of a library book has created a stunning advertisement and reference for the club. I would urge you to take a look at www.HeadleyCricket.co.uk.
Ground
John Vaughan-Davies is continuing as our groundsman. John’s passion for the job and his cricket knowledge means we can’t be better provided for. John is looking forward to turning the ground into one of the best with a square to beat the rest of the uncovered squares in the county.
Fundraising and Social Activity
The Barn Dance organised so brilliantly and enthusiastically two summers ago by Barny Harrison is due to return this summer. Details will be emerging very soon.
We are looking at organising more midweek games to improve our fund raising. There appears to be a great demand for this midweek beer matches.
The dinner at Epsom Sports Club in November was once again a success. The only minor disappointment was the attendance with a number of regulars having other functions to attend. The organising committee are determined to get the numbers back up and have already organised top quality speakers and will be commencing their marketing drive during the mid summer. There will be no hiding from Barny and Grant Waller!
Financials
Our Treasurer, Alan Clarke, gave another upbeat account of the Club’s financial situation at the AGM where he reported a healthy surplus of just over £1,000 for the year. More discipline on collection of match and wandering fees together with enhanced tea receipts has more than offset the reduced dinner income.
Our reserves in the Bank and on deposit remain strong with in excess of £22,000 at the turn of the year. Special mention must be made of the major contribution to the funds contributed by our enthusiastic Vice-Presidents whom our President regularly and persuasively cajoles, and who are also invited to a cocktail party at the Club in mid summer. Our successful registration with HM Revenue & Customs as a Community Amateur Sports Club has allowed us to reclaim from them basic rate tax on donations made to the club. The refund received in 2008 has effectively paid for the club’s new kitchen
Club Development
Having installed a new kitchen during the last close season we have maintained the policy of constantly upgrading the clubhouse by replacing all windows at the back of the club with top of the range upvc windows. Before the season starts we also expect the interior to receive a refreshing coat of paint and possibly some new changing room flooring. The latter depends on the damage caused when the flooring falls from the lorry!
Spring Cleaning
The usual pavilion opening and cleaning ceremony is set for Saturday 18th April at 9.30am. There is much to be done so please turn up and do your bit. Breakfast will be available for those not used to being up and about at that time.
New Players
Like most clubs we are always on the lookout for new players. Typically this is best achieved through word of mouth and personal recommendation so I would ask that you trawl your contact lists and keep your ears and eyes open for new players. If you get the slightest interest then let me know and I will endeavour to sign them up.
Nets
Pre season nets have been arranged for Monday 6th and 13th April from 7pm to 8.30pm at Epsom College. Hopefully you will have received this missive in time. The nets will be a perfect opportunity to introduce new players.
Subscriptions
Subscriptions are now due and a subscription form is enclosed at the end of this letter. The sooner you get his done the sooner the club can spend it. For those of you that know your way round a computer you could actually pay online. The necessary information is on the form. If you do pay online don’t forget to let Alan Clarke know.
Opening Fixtures
Our first game is against our new friends London Theatres CC on Sunday 19th April. The following Saturday April 25th sees Headley take on Old Freemen’s in the now traditional Saturday warm up fixture, I hope that as many of you as possible are able to play on those days. The league season starts on Saturday May 2nd with the 1st XI at East Horsley with the 2nd XI home to Nutfield 2nd XI.
Finally, I would like to extend my warm thanks to our President for his tireless and unstinting support of the club and to his wife who is ever willing to don the marigolds and do her bit.
Good luck for the new season, I wish you warm, sunny days and hard wickets!
Best Regards
Andy Pickering