I hope that you are all keeping safe.
I would like to say a massive thank you to all those members who have renewed their annual subscriptions. Some of you have been very generous and made donations on top of your subscriptions. Thank you. Your support is vital to the survival of the club.
These are worrying times for everyone. Many sports clubs will go bust. All the income our club receives goes back into the club to maintain and upgrade our facilities for the benefit of our members. The club is run on a very tight budget and it is very difficult to cope with any major changes in income.
Even when we are closed the club has certain fixed costs and other liabilities, which amounted to just under £70,000 last year, that must be paid. We are doing all we can to cut, defer and reduce these costs and are also applying for all the government schemes, grants etc that we can. However with no income from the bar, hall hire, match fees etc. now and for at least a number of months, annual subscriptions are our only source of income and put quite simply, if we do not receive this income, the club will be in serious trouble. We are already having to use our reserves. We should survive but day by day the club’s financial position gets worse.
I know everyone has a lot on their minds and the club fully appreciates that many members are under severe financial pressure. Paying the club subscription may be a strain on limited resources. If that is your situation, we obviously don’t expect you to pay your subscription. However I do implore those members who are in a position to pay their annual subscriptions to do so as soon as possible. Also if you wish to pay by instalments, please contact me.
Adult members can register by going to Adult Registration but, if it is easier for you, just fill out one of the attached forms, return it to me and pay your subscription by bank transfer (details on the forms). Juniors can register by going to Junior Registration
Now we don’t know how long social distancing is going to last in its current form. However as soon as the restrictions are lifted, even partially, we will look to open our facilities to members and organise some form of cricket or training. In the meantime we aim to keep members, particularly the juniors, engaged by producing some videos, which will be emailed to members and placed on the club’s social media.
As a club we are fighting to keep the club alive. As I said in my earlier email, we have an exceptional level of club togetherness. If we pull together, we will get through this and continue to be an important part of the communities we serve.
Stay safe.
Martin Pluck, Chairman