1st XI Sat
1st XI Sun
2nd XI Sat
2nd XI Sun
3rd XI
4th XI
Ladies
Colts

Ashford Cricket Club has a very bright future. The Short Lane facilities have to be some of the best in our area and the Club is very fortunate to have a healthy Colts section with a number of very promising youngsters knocking at the door of the senior teams. In the next couple of years, when this young talent matures and has found its "senior wings" the Club will again be able to stand proud in Surrey Cricket circles. Unfortunately, however, the above is a few years off (a vision!) and we still have the present to unravel.

So much for the Millennium bringing new expectation and hope for all. Well someone forgot to include Ashford Cricket Club when they were sharing out the Millennium success. The 2000 season was one of the most disappointing seasons on-the-field for Ashford that I can remember. None of the 1^st XI, 2^nd XI or 3^rd XI teams did themselves any justice and all under performed. The 1^st XI was relegated to Division 2 of Surrey Championship, which was not a reflection on the team's ability and neither the 2^nd or the 3^rd XI showed any sign of challenging for promotion. The reasons for this under-performing are many and open to debate. Some thoughts are included in the attached Captain's reports but one thing is certain, more commitment is required by all members to lift all three sides and return quickly to the Club's correct level in the Surrey Championship.

What went wrong? Your Committee does not have all the answers here but something has to be done and done fairly quickly. Is there a need for each team to have a nominated or appointed Team Manager and/or separate Coach? If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know or, preferably, attend the AGM and air your views.

The 4^th XI played its first season in the Morrant Wey Valley League Division 3. From all the reports, it is clear that switching to a new league was the correct decision and all who took part, I believe, enjoyed the experience. A creditable sixth position was achieved and it was also very encouraging the number of Colts and other youngsters who helped carry the senior element through this first season. Well done the 4^th XI.

Both the Ladies side and the Colts teams also had busy seasons please read the separate reports for full details.

Unfortunately, Don Beckett, a Life Member of the Cricket Club and a past Committee member passed away in August after fighting against cancer for several years. Don played 1^st XI cricket for many years from the early '60s through to the early '80s and he was one of the most influential members of the Club in those days. In addition, he was 1^st XI Captain, Chairman of Ashford Sports Club, Secretary of the Surrey Championship League and Cricket Club President at various times during his dedicated years as a member of Ashford. The whole Club will sorely miss him.

The Club went on its usual tour to South Devon and this year, the first occasion for some years, there were no selection problems. The interest in the tour certainly seems to have increased now that we have moved our headquarters to Exeter and we have switched to the half-term week. The dates for next year will be Sunday May 27^th to Friday, June 2 and we hope to revert to a full six fixtures if possible. If anyone is interested in going on the tour please let either the Club Secretary or me know as soon as possible.

Rosemary Alder has provided all the teas for the Club this year. She was thrown in the deep end in May, having never produced a cricket tea before. With some helpful guidance from past masters and some "suck it and see" techniques, the Ashford teas quickly developed into fare which was admired and appreciated by all. Many thanks Rosemary.

The Club has had a fairly quiet social year with the only events being the President’s Day and two very enjoyable Quiz Nights. The President's Day featured the Club's Six-a-Side Tournament with many congratulations to Adrian Chessman and his team who were presented their prizes by the President and sponsor for the day, Peter Ash after winning an exciting competition. In addition, Adrian and his whole family must be thanked for the Quiz Nights. The enthusiasm and effort which Adrian, Richard, Angela and Colin put in to these evenings is a lesson for all members.

The Club Membership list was in the secure hands of Robert Evans this season and although not obvious to all members, administratively the Club is improving in this area. There was a problem with Membership Cards, which were not all distributed, but we will try to ensure that this improves for 2001. The whole area of membership is quite complex for a large club with in excess of 300 members. Please try to help your club and the Membership Secretary in particular by paying your subscriptions on time without the need for reminders.

The Club finances still show a healthy balance although it is clear that we operated at a loss during the 2000 season. Your committee has been reviewing this and you will see on the AGM calling notice the measures that are being taken in an attempt to reverse this situation. Moving to a new facility was always going to be expensive and reserves were built up specifically for this but the Club now has to turn things around very quickly. I should like to offer the Club's thanks to John Hartwell for all his work behind the scene and his dedication to the job of Club Treasurer.

I am sure regular users of the Club will have noticed that a new set of gates has recently been completed. These gates have been paid for jointly by Ashford Cricket Club and Ashford Hockey Club in memory of Ken Miller. Ken and his wife Joan were long standing members of both Clubs and Ken was the Sports Club Manager for many years in the '60s and '70s. When Ken died in 1989, he left a substantial sum to both Clubs and I think the new gates are a fitting tribute to a man who paid a significant part in the history of Ashford Sports Club.

The Short Lane Development work continues. There are still a number of aspects of the original development plans that are not yet complete and there are some additional ideas that have been thought of since. Your committee will continue to liaise with Ashford Sports Club in an effort to ensure that the facilities are "completed" and that all the loose ends are tidied up but this cannot happen overnight and it may involve effort from some of the members. Please offer your services if you feel there are any aspects of Club life that you could contribute to. Please see the enclosed Newsletter for some of the attractions and entertainment currently organised for all members at the Club.

The new facilities at Short Lane have been open now for a little over two years. I am sure you will all agree that it has a fine Clubhouse and one that we will all want to look after and to use for many years to come. Unfortunately, it is already showing signs of wear. Some of this is to be expected as there has inevitably been some wear and tear during two years of constant use, however, there has also been a certain amount of abuse. Please can I emphasise to all of you and to your families and their friends to please try to take a little more pride in the facilities. It is down to everyone to police the Sport Club's rules and to ensure that users keep the place as clean and tidy as possible. Firstly, please stress to everyone that no one should enter the hallway, the bar or the main hall while still wearing their cricket boots (or other sports shoes) as they can cause irreparable damage to the carpets. If possible, please do not use the main door or the doors into the bar if you have come straight off the cricket pitches.

Please also try not to leave any kit in the hallway as this is a safety hazard and could cause injury or worse still, an obstruction in the event of a fire. Also, please do not leave kit in the dressing rooms overnight. The cleaners do their best to provide tidy facilities but if they are prevented from cleaning the dressing rooms, the players will be the first to object.

The wickets at Short Lane are still not good enough for our level of Club Cricket and the committee are doing everything possible to understand the problems and to put things right. We have been in contact with Paul Brind at the Oval and we have asked for his help in putting together a maintenance programme.

I believe that generally communication within the Club is improving and the addition of a Web Site and a regular E-mail newsletter have improved matters still further. If any member has any additional ideas for communication within the Club, please let me know. If anyone has any suitable material for the newsletter, please send it to me and it will be published at the next available opportunity.

The Cricket Club has decided to hold the Annual Dinner away from the Sports Club in an effort to increase its popularity. The last few dinners have been very poorly attended, so your Committee has decided to go "up market". This year's dinner is being held at the Renaissance Hotel on the A4 near Heathrow on Friday, November 24. Please make every effort to attend. It is a mixed function and there will be some musical entertainment following the dinner.

The AGM will be held at the Sports Club on Wednesday, November 29. This is an important day in the Club's calendar. Have your say in the future of the Cricket Club and the Sports Club. If you have any ideas or concerns, come along and air your views. The AGM is open to all members and it is especially important that Playing Members attend, as you will have the opportunity to vote for next season's team captains and officials.

Winter nets are planned for 2001 at Matthew Arnold School as last year. These will be between 17:00 and 19:00 on Sunday evenings from January onwards. We hope to be able to book the nets for longer this year and encourage Ladies, Colts and seniors to attend. Please make every effort to practice and benefit from the coaching and experience available at these sessions.

See you all next season.