by Martin Read
Horsham Cricket Club is very pleased to announce the continuation of their relationship with Gardner & Scardifield, the much valued group of independent Sussex Builders Merchants, Electrical Wholesalers and DIY Suppliers. The company’s Dave Neale telling the County Times: “We are delighted to continue our headline sponsorship of the club for another three years. With two branches in the town – in Queen Street and Redkiln Way – Gardner and Scardifield has a focus on supporting our local community, and with the club being an amazing community asset at the heart of Horsham, this is a fantastic partnership that really fits for both parties. We wish all of the teams throughout the club the best of luck in the forthcoming season, especially the first team back in the Premier League!”
Commenting on the new deal, Richard Marshall of HCC said: “Gardner & Scardifield are great supporters of the club so it will be good to see the players taking the field in their shirts.”
The new partnership comes at a particularly vibrant time at Cricketfield Road, where some 160 games a season are played on the two grounds – ranging from junior cricket at all age groups, through to league matches for three men’s teams and the ladies’ side. There is friendly cricket on Thursdays, and the ground is a much sought after venue for representative and local knock out games and finals.
Ensuring that the club continues as a major contributor to Sussex cricket, Thursday Captain Graham Cheesman takes over as Chairman, and new Captains have been appointed to lead the three men’s teams, combining with Cricket Manager Ben Williams, to carry on the excellent work done by the previous skippers. Chris Shambrook is Ground Manager and Fixtures Secretary, while, in very important moves, Mark Nash becomes Cricket Development Manager, and Sussex professional Will Beer, in addition to playing regularly for the 1st XI, takes up a new role as Head Coach – both Mark and Will having come up through the junior ranks at the club.
Alex Ellis joins as new Groundsman, and, thanks to an extremely generous donation by a Vice President, the main electronic scoreboard at the ground is being replaced. The practice nets have been refurbished, and there are advanced plans for the former groundsman’s cottage, finally succumbing to the ravages of time and weather, to make way for a modern house.
Things are buzzing at Horsham Cricket Club, outgoing Chairman Richard Marshall saying: “Prospects at the club are very exciting and we can’t wait for cricket to resume !” New 1st XI Captain, all rounder Nick Oxley, adding: “I’ve had age group Captaincy experience and there are very good people around me in the new set up, so I’m really looking forward to it, and it’ll be fun!”
