Earlier this month, due to high winds, its existing 20-year old nets were badly damaged causing them a huge expenditure. The club has launched a fundraiser and aims to collect £22,500. Within hours of its launch, more than £1,000 had been already collected.
With the cricket season due to begin this weekend, Marc Fox, chairman of the club has said that the club will face a definite shutdown if they don’t play matches.
“We are unable to play cricket until it is sorted, and being a village club we have not got that sort of funds available. If we can’t play cricket it could be the end of the club, that’s how serious it has got,” Fox said.
He appreciated the initial response that they got from other players and clubs.
“We have had a fantastic response from other clubs, former players, and even some England cricket stars such as Alastair Cook and Darren Gough have retweeted our appeal, but we are still a fair way from our total. Even some of our youth members have donated some of their pocket money.
“Fortunately we have rearranged our first weekend’s fixtures and other clubs have been very understanding, which we really appreciate. We looked at playing elsewhere but that still costs us money to hire a pitch.
“We are also the only licensed facility in the village now the pub has shut, and residents come to use for a drink of an evening, so they won’t have anywhere to go if we shut. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to survive on the bar takings alone.
“It would be devastating for us if we had to close. He was hopeful and welcomed any business to come forward and help them out. “If any business wants to sponsor us that would be great”, he added.
You can donate either at their appeal website or at the club’s JustGiving page.
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