Floodlight update

A note from the Chief Executive

It has been an interesting season floodlight-wise so I thought it would be useful to update you all. Our lights are the original set of lights in the UK – good old Sussex were first to install in 1998 and as a result are the first to move towards being obsolete.

As you are all aware, the North floodlights failed totally in our game against Kent on 4th June. This was due to a faulty pump in the generator which was preventing fuel getting through. Then on Monday 22nd June v Surrey, a circuit breaker in the generator at the South End of the ground seized – hence the 30 minute delay whilst we powered up the backup generator.

As a result of the Kent incident, we now have that backup generator on site for every floodlit game ... though there is a 50/50 chance it will be stationed at the wrong end in the event of requirement! We are confident we can implement our contingency plan in 30 minutes. We have always had an
electrician and engineer on site for all floodlit games – now they have even more chance of recovering from a fault.

So, we will get through this season – and then in 2010 we should, subject to local planning in Brighton, have a new floodlight system in place. The ECB, who provide grant funding, have approved our designs and we will be consulting with local residents during early July before applying for planning permission at the end of the month. Moreover, the new lights will be powered by a new sub-station which will be dedicated to our site removing the need for generators and offering a much more secure system.

The total investment, between the Club and ECB is in excess of £600k and will give us better, brighter and more reliable floodlights as we launch into the inaugural English Premier League.

Please watch this space for more details and in the meantime may I thank you all (well, very nearly all) for your patience with us this year in testing times.