The Chairman's Report 2023 - Posted 30th September
We have had another long & eventful season. In my report, I will go through various aspects of the season. When it comes to the finances & playing side, I will keep my comments brief before the captains & treasurer give more detailed reports.
On the pitch we have had mixed results but, in my view, continue to perform well in all areas.
The First team – had a very good start to the season. However, the second half proved less productive. This is the opposite to the way the last few seasons have gone – we just need to combine a good start with a good second half & we are there!! The introduction of Andy to the club has lifted the side on the pitch & the club in general & I am sure this will continue. Batting wise Sam had an excellent season, Lee was the pick of the bowlers & Dave had a superb season behind the stumps & batting in the middle order. Many thanks to Dom for all his hard efforts as skipper over the past few seasons. He has achieved so much both on & off the pitch & will remain a vital part of the side, & club in general, I’m sure.
The Second team – had a similar path during the season starting well, struggling mid-season & then gaining a good victory over Ingatestone at the end of the season. In many ways it was a very encouraging season with most of their scores over 200. Duncan had a great season with the bat as did Neil Townson who shown no signs of losing his enthusiasm to play & contribute well. Like Dom, Duncan will be standing down as Saturday captain. I thank him for everything he has done for the side as captain in the past few years. - The Sunday team – has continued to be successful & bridges the gap between senior players & aspiring youngsters in a very successful way.
Sunday cricket has always been an important part of this club & long may it continue – well done to James & all of those that stood in as captain during the season for all their efforts. –
The Colts have continued to be successful. I will let Danny fill in the details more fully, but it is clear from the number of youngsters that are filtering into the senior sides on a Saturday & Sunday that the work they are putting in is paying dividends.
The midweek T20 team – had an excellent season again with many games being played against local sides. It was a pity to narrowly lose to Brentwood in the final, but we must realise that the additional mid-week game provides a chance for some players to play a more convenient shorter game & keep others in form if practice is not possible.
Financially we remain in a strong position despite some considerable expenses including the building of the new bar. This has been a long time coming & has benefitted the club immensely. Thank you to everyone that contributed to the building work be it demolition, construction, or decoration. I would like to thank Duncan for all his efforts behind the bar. The bar remains a massive asset to us all.
Social events have progressed this year too. Both Pat & Lenny arranged a quiz night & casino night this season which were great fun & contribute to the finances. As much as anything both events enabled non-club members to take part in events. This must be encouraged. Many thanks to both Pat & Lenny.
Our Outreach continues to be good – among other events we have had a Kwik Cricket Competition involving 10 local primary schools, a Charity game arranged by James, a multi – faith game arranged by Ajaz & numerous parties. The more we can use the facilities we have the better awareness there is of us in the area & hopefully the better we are financially.
Sadly, several ex. players have passed away this year. Although the names Doug Hill, Mike Hall, John Broad & Lionel Osbourne may not mean a lot to many of you tonight, collectively they played between the late 1950’s until the 2010’s & played around 75 seasons between them.
Looking to the future, the club has 2 major landmarks coming up. Next season will be the 50th anniversary of the club playing at this ground & in 4 seasons time the club will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Plans of how to celebrate these landmarks will be discussed at committee & made known well in advance. It would be good to celebrate these occasions with as many people associated with the club as possible, which I am sure we will achieve.
Finally - I would like to mention the ground & in particular the work Mike has done – Mike has done a wonderful job this season. He has stepped into the position vacated by the paid groundsman & has done a fantastic job. The ground has never looked so good and for the first time in living memory the outfield seems free of rabbits, moles and badgers (although some of his methods may seem extreme – it seems to work). Mike works tirelessly and couples this with playing and fulfilling the role as treasurer. Howard and I had a meeting with John recently and we all felt that the work he has done over the past few years deserved to be acknowledged. I thank John for picking up on this and getting a very appropriate gift. On behalf of the Club, I would like you to accept this gift as a mark of our appreciation. This is a book which focuses on outstanding cricket grounds in the British Isles. We are looking into the possibilities that a planned future edition of the book may include South Weald.
I would like to thank all the outgoing committee for their efforts this season. I know that I have not mentioned everyone tonight but looking around now the contributions made by the likes of Howard & Jimmy are invaluable to us all.
Cricket is a team game both on & off the pitch & a successful club can only be so if all aspects are carried out well.
My commitment to the club remains unaltered. I feel a great deal of pride to hopefully try to steer the club in the right direction. For as long as you want me to, and with your help, I am happy to continue to do this. Thank you.
Pat Stroud