Chairman's pre-season message

An update from the Chairman ahead of the new season.

A warm hello from me as we embark upon another season.

New sponsor 

I start this message with the good news that we have secured a new sponsor with the help of Mick Chaffe, our good friend and supporter. Alan Ellis Financial Services  specialises in financial, retirement and protection planning and we welcome Alan and his team to the Club. 

As a result, we now have three key sponsors which is no mean feat in these troubled times. Our continuing gratitude also goes out to Orchard Garage and Buildbase who have, once again, renewed their sponsorship.

Club events - Ken Walter day

As always there are a number of key dates for the diary. Details are contained in the fixture card and also on the Club’s website. ManCo is extremely grateful for Henry Clark’s excellent work in keeping members updated on our online platforms.

Here are the key events nonetheless:
Friday May 10th - All Stars Cricket begins
Friday May 17th - Surge’s Quiz Night
Sunday May 26th - Charity cricket match in support of CRY
Sunday June 9th - World Cup Family Day
Saturday July 20th - Ken Walter Memorial Day
Friday September 20th - Garry Cook’s Captain’s Table
Saturday October 5th - Club Dinner and Dance
Sunday December 22nd - Club Christmas Drinks

In respect of the match on 20th July, we aim to pay a fitting tribute to Ken, a man who made a real difference in everything he did for the Club. It is fair to say we would not be around today in our current form if it wasn’t for the hard work and devotion to detail shown by Ken. Let us all come together and give Lorna and the Walter family a day to remember.

Junior section

On the cricket front, both Junior and Senior Cricket Committees are functioning well. I am particularly grateful to Nicola Clark and Michelle Slater for coming forward and providing the Junior Section with a new drive and focus.   

Nicola and Michelle have also taken the lead in our discussions with Dartford Borough Council. This has already yielded results as we were introduced to Continental Landscapes, a local company who have a vision of taking a leading role in the stewardship of open spaces that serve the community. 

Neil Wilson and the grounds team have since been working with Continental Landscapes on improvements to the outfield and we look forward to seeing this come to fruition in the coming months.

Closing message

These next months are really important for us as a Club and, as always, cricket leads the way. Typically strong playing strength and good performances follow the usual maxim that “success breeds success”. I truly wish all players, junior and senior, every success with both their own game and their team performances.

I mentioned at the AGM how relevant it is that all members bring the right “culture” to everything they do when representing the Club on and off the field. It is my experience that a strong and positive culture will always deliver superior results.

Therefore I encourage everyone involved in the Club to embrace the need for showing the right culture. At the same time if we see someone not behaving in a way that puts the Club in a good light we all have the responsibility to call it out. On this point you will always have have my full and enduring support.

I emphasise this latter point in the knowledge that all sports clubs are facing a variety of issues in the face of an ever changing society. Consequently by leading with a common bond of togetherness and aligning that to careful management of our finances, I am confident that the Club will be successful over the coming years. 

Thank you

Finally, a few of you will be aware that I recently had a spell away as a “guest” of Kings College Hospital. I am sincerely grateful and touched by all the warm messages of support from members. It truly means a lot to myself and Sandra.

In closing I look forward to seeing you in the months ahead.  

With best wishes,

Harry
Chairman
Dartford Cricket Club