Members Forum

REMINDER !!!

See you there I hope

I attended the Members Forum, which was held in the Boundary Rooms before the start of Day 3 of the Glamorgan game.

I’ll begin by stating that these notes were scribbled out on a bit of scrap paper and that they are totally unofficial.

I’m doing this for the benefit of those of you that were unable to get to the meeting for whatever reason. For anyone who was there, please feel free to correct or add anything that I’ve missed.

I would guess about 100 members attended the meeting which was chaired by committee member Richard Barrow. In addition, Dave Brooks (Chief Exec.) and Mark Robinson were available to answer member’s questions.

Q. - Will the ground development be finished in time for the start of the new season in April?
A. – (Brooksey), The season is likely to start on 10th April, the planned finish for the development is 8th April. We have requested that our first two games are away fixtures. Some media facilities may be unavailable for the first game but alternative facilities will be in place. The refurbished pavilion is scheduled to be handed back to the club on 31st March.

Q – Are any more games planned for out grounds?
A – (Brooksey), Horsham and Arundel have rolling three-year agreements with SCCC. Providing there is no reduction in the number of 20/20 fixtures, SCCC aim to play a 20/20 fixture at Hastings. Nothing is planned for Eastbourne, as the square is not deemed to be ready for first class cricket.
A - (Robbo) – The challenge for any out grounds is that when it rains how the ground staff are able to deal with it. A situation can arise where on rainy days games are more likely to be completed at Hove rather than out grounds. Rained off games makes it a lot harder to challenge for trophies, which in turn has a huge financial impact. However Horsham last week was outstanding and we were very pleased with our visit there.

Q – Can we have an update on the museum?
A – (Richard), The museum is a huge project and the club are investing £100K in providing the space and preparation of the museum building. It will be located in the base of the pavilion below the committee room and Jim Parks Bar. A trust has been formed to run the museum. The club feel it is important to guard the history of the club for the benefit of future generations.

Q – According to Robbo the club play too much cricket yet it is reported that he doesn’t want a reduction in the 20/20 programme. Why is this?
A – (Brooksey) Membership is still our largest income with 20/20 income close behind. The club have previously made public their preferred structure for the cricket season.

Sussex's Preferred Domestic Structure

Each home 20/20 fixture generates SCCC £80K to £100K, whereas each Pro40 game only generates about 25% of that amount.
A - (Robbo) – We play too much cricket and both Michael Yardy and myself support the club’s view on how the domestic game should be structured. Our priority has to remain Championship cricket.
If we reduce the number of 20/20 fixtures we would need to release two players. Which two players do you want to see go? In addition the Pro40 is a mess of a competition this year, how can a successful second placed team not have the opportunity to advance in the competition?

Q – Are any figures available for the financial difference to Sussex between 8 and 5 Twenty/20 fixtures.
A – (Brooksey) The figures for 2009 are a bit of a mess because the 20/20 fixtures were disjointed due to the T20 World Cup and the touring match against The Australians.
However in 2008 we generated £270K. In 2010 we generated £320K and based on lost income due to the football world cup we feel we would otherwise have generated £350K this year.

Q – Is the current squad strong enough for next season?
A – (Robbo) If money were no object we would want a batsman, a bowler and an all-rounder. We are an ambitious club, big on the field but not big off the field. It is therefore hard to compete with many of the larger counties with bigger budgets. We have to shop in the stores that are selling broken and unloved goods and try and pick up some bargains. We have a wonderful spirit within the club and we are a very friendly and welcoming club right through from the supporters, the officials, to the players.
We have no right to be where we are and consistently challenging for trophies. In reality, as a club, we are similar to Derbyshire, Leicestershire or Northamptonshire. This year we’ve been to all those places and at times they have been soulless. We need to make sure that we don’t forget who we are and remember the need to continue to work hard together and retain and build on what we have.

The meeting lasted about 45 minutes.
I hope this has been of use.

PB

Thanks Martin very useful.

thanks p'boy

Maybe misreading it but just a question on the T20 figures - you say each home fixture generates between £80-100k and then that we generated £320k in 2010 - with 8 fixtures those figures don't tally do they?

I think that the 80-100k is revenue for each match and the £320k figure is profit for the season. So we make 40-50k profit on each match which is why if we lose three matches to the schedule we will have to save about £150k in wages.

Last edited by aewparsons (31-08-2010 21:58:50)