Cockerton
Cockerton
CRICKET CLUB
Cockerton CC enjoyed a successful season in 2018 and will now be looking to build on
that in 2019. Sport NE Magazine recently caught up with Club Representative Richard
Cowan to find out more about the set up they have in place.
He told us, “I have been involved at Cockerton for almost fifty years. I first
joined in 1970. I left the local school where I was captain of the cricket team which
won the inter schools League and Cup double. A very proud moment.”
“On leaving, I realised something was missing. A few of my school pals had
joined the cricket club, so I obviously followed. The cricket club is a village club,
in a village adjacent to the town of Darlington. Over the past 50 to 60 years, the
town has engulfed the village, but it retains a village atmosphere.
“My roles at the club currently are Groundsman and Secretary. There are
challenges all year. January and February sees me compiling and publishing the
club annual handbook. Through February, March and April, getting machines
ready and preparing the square. In the season, I spend some time umpiring at
other grounds (our league has recently introduced one neutral umpire for each
A Division game) and helping to organise our own awards night. October begins
the preparations for the Christmas Raffle night (distributing and selling tickets
and organising prizes). The New Year leads into the January AGM, and it all
starts again. So those are the annual challenges, the rewards are quite simply
success with the various ventures. The most rewarding for me is to produce
perfect wickets.
“The mood at the Club is usually good, especially when the cricket starts. The
lads enjoy the Saturday afternoon, and the evening in the nearby pub. Being just
a village club, the pavilion is limited to changing rooms, tea area/kitchen and
storage for the machinery.
“2018 was a good season, the weather made a big difference and cheered us
up following the fixture announcement. The league could have produced a better
fixture list. However, with a reduction of teams, the B Division was left with
10 instead of 12 teams, meaning four blank match days. Just before the season
began, another team dropped out, leaving us six match days short and a huge
loss of revenue. The first eleven attempting to achieve promotion back to the A
Division, fell just short in 3rd position. We did manage to field two teams on all
match days. Holiday times and injuries can sometimes leave us short. So all in all
a satisfactory season.
“Looking ahead to 2019 (almost here), we are in the process of purchasing a
batting cage to upgrade the facilities for practice. We are also attempting to obtain
an ECB Grant for new covers, this would be the second attempt. We are also
hoping to introduce advertising boards and are currently looking for businesses
to sponsor these. On the field, promotion back to Division A would be nice.
“Youth development is always very important. We have been disappointed in
recent years though, many of the youngsters coming through, leave for various
reasons. In Darlington we have two Clubs in the larger league, which can be
an attraction. Then many go to University, and often don’t return to the area.
Growing up and getting jobs can also lead to the unthinkable and having to work
on a Saturday. Also of course, young ladies are often a distraction.
“The biggest challenges in the coming years remain the same as they have
been for the last 125 years; attracting players to maintain the two teams which
are vital for financial survival, keeping ground equipment in working order is
also essential and also attracting members into the roles of committee members
and into positions within the club. In the next five years we will be ambitiously
applying for a large grant to extend the pavilion and extra storage space.”
“The guys down at Cockerton come
down after a match for a few drinks,
both the home and away teams
which is great and they sit outside on
a nice day. We took over the pub in
May 2017 and the relationship with
Cockerton Cricket Club has grown
in strength since then.
We sponsored the club caps in 2018
and host the club’s annual Christmas
raffle and rewards night in our private
function room. I would just like to say
how nice it is to see another local
organisation doing so well and we
would like to wish them all the best
for the upcoming season.”
Simon Leadbetter, The Mowden Pub
www.sportip.biz
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