Chairman's 2008 Seasons Preview

I am sure we have all had a great time this winter basking in the glories of our achievments in the 2007 season. That was last year, and whilst no one can ever take away the memories of that amazing trophy haul and the many other team and individual triumphs that we all shared, they are now just memories.

The trophy cabinet is full once again, we have that to remind us. How will we go about making sure that remains the case?

Well for a start, we must use the memory of how we all achieved what we did in 2007 as the catalyst to start 2008 in the same vien. We must remember to repeat again and again on all the things we did well but equally as important we must not repeat our mistakes and our bad decisions. Lets be smart and learn from the things we do both good and not so good.

One of our greatest strengths last season, besides the obvious cricketing ability that abounds throughout the club, was our team performances. Allied to this is the strength of the club away from the playing field.

As always praise must go to our ladies, they support us magnificently with thier work at the club. Our groundsman Alan has been a godsend to us, the facilities he prepares make it possible for us to enjoy our games to the full. Our supporters are many, they too are a great source of encouragement to the players. Lastly, there is the hard working committee which run our club so well. They are the people who put us in the position where we can play and enjoy our game within a competitive league environment. So, if you havent got the message yet,  we as a group are our greatest strength, not as individuals.

Financially the club continues to meet all its commitments to fulfil the task of putting out 3 senior teams and 2 junior teams at the top level of league cricket. A lot of money is required to run a club like ours with spirralling utility costs, insurances, rates and maintainance of the playing surfaces. Each year we manage to allocate funds to continue to add to and improve the facilities we have. Our latest project, the superb sightscreens which were finished last season cost several thousand pounds. We have ambitious plans to make other additions and improvements to the ground and we must also put monies towards re-furbishment of the club  lounge, bar and kitchen. This can only be achieved with a renewed effort to fundraising and a greater effort to encourage sponsorship of our club. There has never been a better time to ask somebody to sponsor us in some way - people love to be associated with success and that is exactly what we are.     Lets make a big push on this while we have the opportunity. Lets also support our club by using the facilities, joining in the events and functions that are arranged. If you have any ideas for sponsorship or fundraising speak to someone on the committee and they will help you to make it happen. Its all in our own best interests, the only people that will benefit by your efforts are you.

What then is going to happen in the 2008 season. We will enjoy ourselves, we will have fun, its not worth doing if we dont. But most of all we will try to improve in everyway possible. To get the maximum out of being associated with Mytholmroyd Cricket Club we must first put the maximum effort in.