Secretary’s Report 2009
I
normally start this report with a summary of the on-field activities of the club
in the previous playing season. Despite the weather in 2008, I will still do
this but later on.
The reason for the change in order this year, is to focus on the major event in 2008 and in many respects one of the defining moments in the history of this cricket club. I am talking of course of the development of the permanent net facility at the far side of the ground. I am delighted that the committee of this club was so supportive of this idea, as this demonstrates to me, that as a club we are committed to improving what we offer for our players, young and old alike and not content to rest on our laurels of already being one of the most progressive clubs in the area. A great start was made to the project when Terry Thompson secured resource from Balfour Beattie Utility Solutions to prepare the ground work for the base of the new nets. During the early part of 2008, the development of the nets continued apace. Where perhaps we slipped up was in not ensuring we had the funding in place to meet the eventual outlay that was needed of about £10,000.
Therefore it was out with the begging bowls to our members and supporters to raise the money by whatever means we were able. The response was fantastic from sponsorship from businesses connected to our membership, to individual contributions from members and their families. The board at the side of the nets recognises those people and businesses, therefore I don’t propose to name them all individually, other than to say thank you one and all. However the further fund raising efforts of club members at Sainsbury’s or on the sponsored walk brought in much needed revenue and emphasised to me what a fantastic club we have, made up of a great membership. At the end of the day, we paid for the facility and our players have now had the use of the nets for 12 months. I would like to urge the membership of the club to recognise those members either self employed or working for small businesses, by giving them your business at every opportunity. A full list of all the clubs sponsors is provided in the fixture book, which will be available in a few weeks time. Please take time to note who these people are. He has been thanked already and recognised for the hard work he put in during 2008, but it cannot be over stated what a fantastic contribution Alan Rankin made to the ground, ably assisted by his ‘gofor’, Paul Carter.
At this point I would like to make special mention of Terry Thompson who has completed the arduous task of completing numerous applications to various bodies for financial assistance. Having seen the level of detail that is needed on these applications, it should not be underestimated what a time consuming effort this has been and we are fortunate to have such an able and persistent member who has been prepared to slog his way through these.
On the playing side 2008 will be remembered as being wet. Wetter even than 2007 which was bad, but not as bad as 2008. I have given up hope of thinking we are due for a dry year, so we will have to take whatever comes. The Under 13’s were successful winning the league, cup and Malsis 6 a-side. The U11’s won the cup and the U17’s competed to the end of the season, finishing 4th in the league.
Of
the senior sides, the second team won the Cowling Cup for the second time, with
a remarkably young team. The highlight of the final apart from
Olly Stell being the only bowler to hit the wickets
in the bowl off, was Ricky Linden’s 5 for in the Sandy Lane innings. The first
team were briefly in with a shout of the league, but had a disaster against
Bingley Congs and that just about put paid to that. The third team continue to
produce talent for the second and first team as was shown with the progress
being made by Joe Copperwaite, Jack Hainsworth, Luke
Taylor, Brannan Lawn, Michael Clegg, Luke Chapman and
Ricky Linden,
I would like to pay tribute at this stage to Tim Walsh who retired from cricket at the top, having won the Craven & District League wicket keeping prize for 2008 with 29 victims, which equalled the Oakworth all time record for a season and with a career total of 293 victims being outright record holder. In addition Jason Bilbrough has decided to take a quieter life and retreated to the golf course and the banks of the river. We wish them both well, but hope that the bar will benefit from their continued support.
As I have already said we have a great club and in my opinion the best in the area at the level we play at, and in some cases better than clubs playing at a more senior level. Your committee is determined to improve this with major work planned for the playing area with substantial investment in the drainage of the field and also a major extension and refurbishment of the changing and toilet facility areas of the club house. Your committee is also very aware of the fact this room is in need of refurbishment and will be looking to tackle this over the next couple of years.
For 2009 we welcome new captains for the first and second elevens, in the form of Joel Gallagher and Simon Howell. The appointment of Joel as Captain is an indication to me that your club is doing things in the right way, because it was only as recently as the AGM in March 2006 that I complimented Joel on being awarded the Don Green Memorial trophy by the Craven & District League. That Joel has moved on from promising junior to first team captain so quickly sends the right message to all the youngsters currently working their way through the ranks.
We
also welcome back to the playing ranks Mark Beckett.
I remember Mark (pictured left; third from right in the line-up) starting his
senior career with Oakworth in a 2nd team game at Skipton C.I., when
as we were a player short and Mark’s Dad Mick was captain he put the lad in the
team, but insisted we didn’t let Mark’s mum know about it. Mark progressed to
the first team and before leaving scored a 50 against Bradley. At 15 Mark
joined the Yorkshire Academy, Yorkshire 2nd’s and MCC ground staff.
Mark returns to us from Bradford & Bingley in the Bradford League and I hope he
enjoys being back amongst friends.
I appeal to the players to show 100% support to their captains in word and deed. Captaincy can be a challenge, but is made easier if players support their leader both on and off the field. You will not always agree with everything, but it is important that we channel in the correct ways our thoughts and actions when we don’t agree.
On a personal note can I ask players to make selection as easy as possible by indicating on the holiday list when they are not available and when you become unavailable unexpectedly in the lead up to a game to talk to the Captain or Vice Captain. Messages passed through third parties or sent via text are in my opinion an unacceptable way of communicating and make the job of running the club that much harder. Call me old fashioned but I firmly believe it is much better to speak directly to people.
On a second personal note, I need to advise you that from this season we are required to submit score cards for each team each week, irrespective of being home or away. Therefore I need the support of captains, vice captains and scorers in making sure that score books are legible and complete in all details. Common areas that are missed being who has taken a catch, the score at the fall of each wicket and which batsmen was dismissed.
I would like to thank all the members of the club, for making us what we are and in particular the committee for the support they give to me in carrying out my duties. I single out Ced Fradley for the fantastic contribution he has made for the efficient running of the bar, which has benefited all out members. However Ced does a tremendous amount besides helping me with all manner of tasks and I want to record my gratitude to Ced.
I want to wish the captains, players and supporters all the best for the coming season, to enjoy your cricket and enjoy being a part of this great club.
Thank you.