No 5, Mar 3 - The Grumbler's County Cricket Newsletter
The roadmap towards 'normality' in the 2021 season, another major loss at Kent, Tendulkar's first ton at Yorkshire, apprentice roles at Middlesex, Tresco in the snow
Firstly, an apology. I am a bit ‘ranty’ in this newsletter. But for those of you who follow me on Twitter or have read my book will know that one particular topic pushes my buttons.
Kent Cricket financial figures for year to October 2020 show loss for the second successive season (KentOnline)
A second successive loss of over £200,000 for Kent. Notice the payment of £634,000 from the ECB for the new media deal, the vast majority of this is international rights. A certain upcoming tournament is a minor player. Albeit the ECB deserve credit for getting it paid in full by broadcasters last season. The Essex treasurer said this was important in them breaking even last year.
Cricket's route back to normality: The challenges facing the sport in 2021 (The Cricketer)
This comprehensive piece not only looks at the re-opening of the game to spectators this season but the extraordinary successes and pressures around the county game right now.
For example, Leicestershire lost £1m last year yet 93% of their members donated their fee to the club. Lancashire had record-breaking Blast sales in 2019 but expect a significant drop this year, partly due to the new tournament that shall not be named. Each game in that event will get a £100,000 marketing budget, in comparison Surrey spent £80,000 on marketing their entire Blast campaign in 2018. The Lancashire CEO suggests the new event will cannablise some of his existing audience and, I assume, will reap less revenue as tickets are dirt cheap. The counties are being used to market the event, which explains why so many similar promotional stories have been popping up on their websites in the past few weeks. So much of this stinks and the smell will only get worse before the damn thing starts. The ECB, and their cheerleaders, should really hang their heads in shame over the whole affair. I went into lockdown writing a 75,000-word book on my love of county cricket, I'll end it (hopefully) with edition nine or 10 of this free newsletter compiled every fortnight in my spare time. I want change, I like to think I am a modern thinker. I'll take T20, T10 or whatever you like as long as it is county-based. Nothing the ECB have said and, more importantly, done has convinced me that this is not just an ego-driven folly created to regain the power that has slipped from their butterfingers after decades of poor management. If, as many of us fear, franchise cricket consumes all but the barest remnants of the county game in the next 20 years then, in all likelihood, I will have to spend my retirement doing something else.
The Day After the Day After Tomorrow (Being Outside Cricket)
On a similar theme, this is a bleak picture of the very, very tough love required to secure the future of cricket, especially the county game. As the author writes "There are few at the top of the game who believe passionately in the beauty of their own sport, who see their role as primarily to defend and grow it."
Sport, like modern politics, normally just starts chasing money if it does not have a practical vision of the future.
County Championship: Warwickshire CEO proposes crowd pilot games in April (BBC Sport)
Lots of common sense here. The non-believers on Twitter have with all the originality and hilarity reminiscent of Jimmy Tarbuck in his prime have already told us why Covid restrictions should not apply to county cricket as... ho-ho... no-one turns up anyway. But if you are a 25,000-seat, ultra-modern venue set-up for international events then coping with 500 to 1000 people sitting out in the open air really should be workable, even if you have to restrict it to those members who have had the first vaccine shot. An extra month or two revenue, even at this level, will be significant.
Pete Jones talks all things Middlesex apprenticeship (Middlesex CCC)
The generally accepted theory in order to capture the long-term affection of young fans is that you must reach them at primary school age. This means getting them to a live game or playing regularly. That is why roles like these are critical, along with the ECB's excellent Rising Stars programme and the work of the Chance to Shine charity. When I see the term "schools' cricket" these days it really means public schools. Middlesex's apprentice programme will be targeting some impoverished boroughs of London that have simply left the game behind. The supervisor talks with passion and enthusiasm, it all sounds so positive. But nine grand for a 35-hour-a-week role! I know it is an apprenticeship and therefore has a lower minimum wage but so many will dismiss the role on finances alone. Yet, in fact, this is poorly-paid, often unrecognised position is actually a critical part of the future foundation of the sport. These are the people getting those disinterested young children playing the game for the first time.
Hey, here's an idea, why not employ 11 more apprentices (or six more on a competitive wage) for a year and NOT spend £100,000 market just one of match in the unmentionable new tournament later in the summer. I know what will do the game more long-term good.
Cricket venue could become ‘Leicester’s premium outdoor venue’ after licence granted (Business Desk)
Non-sporting revenue is essential for all but the biggest venues. For all the cricketers Leicestershire have signed this season, the most important people to play at Grace Road this season might be Elton John, Westlife or Little Mix.
Support Your County From Afar (Somerset CCC)
I have been advocating this for years. Somerset are offering an associate membership - three days of Championship cricket and two 50-over games for £60. Personally I think that is a little stingy on the four-day side but pricing strategy can be tricky. There might be many members who go for that and pay for any extra days on the gate, therefore losing the club revenue. Still, there are many who will not pay a £200 annual membership fee as they know they will not get value but still want a connection and some benefits. It will be fascinating to see how this sells.
Revealed: County cricket's plans to be the first sport to welcome back spectators ($) (Telegraph)
I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions for the next County Cricket Newsletter.
Tweets of the fortnight
Earlier this week, Marcus Trescothick left Somerset after 27 seasons.
A bit of a Sussex sing-song. Lovely.
We interrupt this newsletter for a game of county cricket…
The acquisition of Sachin Tendulkar by Yorkshire in 1992 remains one the most notable signings ever made in county cricket. Here’s his first ton for the county against the old enemy at a sunny, sold-out Headingley.
But the way, here’s why I am writing this newsletter. If you would like to help, please forward this edition to a cricket-loving friend using the share button below and encourage them to subscribe.
YouTube videos I like…
Boom Boom breaks a record. In his pomp, he was an exceptional player.
Podcasts I like…
This is not strictly county cricket but Steven Finn is a very likeable character who has always seemed to play the game the right way.
Basic info…
All the official county cricket "ins and outs" this winter
Structure of County Championship season 2021 and the BWT groups
All the county fixtures in one place. There is a link to add the fixtures of your team to your online calendar (Google, iCal etc) but it is not working anymore. C’mon ECB!
Odd county cricket stuff you can find on eBay
Errr… while I appreciate the honesty, this pitch may have been prepared by the groundsman for England’s last Test in India.
Links I like…
Cricket Supporters Association - Join here, it’s free
County Cricket Matters - Buy the magazine direct or on Kindle and make Jeff Bezos even richer
Jobs in Cricket - couple of great women’s jobs here at MCC and USA Cricket
Finally…
Yes, I am still plugging my book on county cricket and midlife. Buy through Amazon or through me for an autographed copy
Finally, finally, let’s end on a high…
A short but nostalgic video of Hampshire collecting their first one-day trophy in 1975 after beating Derbyshire at Darley Dale, which is a new ground on me. It is also a rare clip of Barry Richards playing for Hants.