Croft setting sights on successful season

Avoncroft Cricket Club held its AGM in February, an opportunity for members to look back on a successful 2022 and start to look ahead to the new year.

This year will bring with it several changes in the club’s leadership. Chris Townsend, the club’s chair for the past four years, is standing down although expects to still be actively involved in the club, particularly in maintaining Croft’s picturesque Stoke Heath ground.

Chris was thanked for his sterling leadership, particularly through the pandemic, which came after over 20 years’ service as a player and committee member. He will be succeeded by the previous vicechair, Mark Whitehead, who will be supported in role by a new vice-chair in Mark Wood.

Another long-standing committee member standing down is Ian Athey, who has supported the club as bar manager for nearly 30 years. Ian was thanked for his tireless efforts over many years, during which the bar has ground significantly and become a key part of the club’s financial sustainability. He will be succeeded during 2023 by Jason Huxley, who is taking on an expanded pavilion and bar manager role.

On the field, Josh Cound will remain as First XI captain but there are changes in the other teams as Chris Pitt returns to the captain’s ranks as Second XI skipper whilst Phil Seers takes on his first captain’s role at the club to steer the Third XI. Paul Athey will continue to lead the Sunday friendly XI.

The first challenge for the new committee will be dealing with a major water leak that took place during the Christmas period at the club. With extensive damage caused, there is a race against time to get the pavilion ready for the new season, and support from all members will be vital to help the club recover from this latest challenge.

by Paul Athey

Emotional times for Sporting but form is on the up