Facilities lift thanks to former player
MACCLESFIELD Cricket Club have announced a partnership with Macclesfield-based Building Contractor GF Holding, whose clients include many major names in both the leisure and retail banking sectors.
Former Macc CC player and managing director of GF Holding, Simon Holding, is delighted that his firm’s corporate sponsorship has enabled the club to proceed with a significant capital project which will greatly improve its facilities.
This support from GF Holding has enabled the Club to place an order for a much-needed three lane training net facility.
It’s a facility which will develop the cricketing skills for members of all ages, in an environment where the Club’s 25 qualified coaches can work with and improve the skill set of all players from age seven upwards.
“These nets will greatly improve the training facilities available at the Victoria Road ground and I sincerely hope that the members of all age groups will take advantage of them to develop their cricketing ability” commented Simon Holding.
“We at GF Holding strongly support the ambition of Macclesfield Cricket Club to regain the ECB Premier Division crown (last won in 1999) in the very near future. Improving the facilities to train and raise skills will help the club achieve this goal.”
Pictured at the club’s historic Victoria Road ground where the new training facility will be situated are (L-R) Malcolm Ward, Simon Griffiths & Simon Holding, Roger Moss, and at the back Barney Cutbill.
Simon Griffiths, chairman of Macc CC, said: “For an ECB Cheshire Premier League club, the lack of nets has been a major gap in our facilities.
“The members have been working hard to raise the funds, and we still need to raise some more, but with G F Holding’s generosity we can now look forward to installation early this summer. A tremendous boost for us, that will truly transform our ground.”
The club is actively trying to raise money, and all donations to the Community Amateur Sports Club can be made via the Virgin Just Giving site.
Treasurer Roger Moss said: “This is the another piece of the jigsaw for the development of facilities on our main ground. Over the past 3 years we have made huge strides as a Club with a new changing room block and electronic scoreboard to compliment our wonderful cricket ground. We are extremely grateful for GF Holding’s support during 2015 & 2016, as we continue to move forward as a Club and this incredible training facility will be of huge benefit to members of all ages.”
Stewart Garnett, who is head coach of the club’s booming Academy section is equally delighted with this improvement.
He said: “The training facility will help our coaches develop the skills of our 130 Academy players into potential first class cricketers following in the footsteps of former England coach Peter Moores amongst others. At the very least it will mean our youngsters have quality facilities to practice and improve their ability at the game they love. It is a huge step forward for the Macclesfield Community.”