Red Rose in the black despite impact of Covid
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DESPITE the pandemic ripping through their business, Lancashire made a profit of £106,000 last year.
Despite no match revenue, and their hospitality and events business - which was expected to bring in £9m – being decimated, the county managed the record a surplus.
Lancashire were thankful for 21 days of international cricket which, although played behind closed doors, generating income from the hiring out of the hotel to the ECB for players, officials and media.
The ECB also provided special funding to all counties and the club took advantage of the various government support schemes, most notably business rates relief and furlough payments - although they were one of just two clubs not to put their players on furlough.
The club, however, were forced to make seven compulsory redundancies, while all staff accepted 20 per cent pay cuts for a period of time during the year.
Finance director and club secretary Lee Morgan said: “It has been a year when we have all been truly tested. After our record financial year in 2019 and transformational refinancing, which in many ways served as our short-term safety net in the early weeks of the pandemic, we feel we have come through one of the most difficult and unexpected challenges yet.
“With many financial hurdles remaining and the next few months remaining very uncertain, we continue to re-group and repair the business.
“However, the foundations on which the Club stand remain solid, and we can plan for a bright future which will allow us to grow again into 2022 and beyond.”
Meanwhile, Dale Benkenstein has joined Lancashire as batting coach on a short-term contract.
The former South Africa international was due to join the club last year before the pandemic struck. He was part of the coaching team as Lancashire beat Sussex last week in the LV= Insurance County Championship clash at Hove.
Lancashire’s director of cricket, Paul Allott, said: “We were looking to add some additional expertise to the coaching team and Dale brings a wealth of experience to the changing room. He is highly respected in county cricket.”
● LANCASHIRE finished on 301-9 declared against Glamorgan in an evenly fought, rain-ruined game.
There were contrasting half-centuries for the patient Keaton Jennings (64) and the more aggressive Josh Bohannon (53).
Andrew Salter took two wickets before Liam Livingstone’s cameo of 25 started with two sixes off the spinner.
Both teams claimed two extra points in the final session of the match.
Australian seamer Michael Neser made a promising debut for Glamorgan with two for 50, while Dan Douthwaite also claimed two wickets as Lancashire’s middle and lower order swung hard with virtually everyone chipping in.
But the loss of five sessions over the first three days took any real suspense out of the game, although the two teams fought to make the most of the playing time they managed.
Lancashire remain top of group three at the halfway stage while Glamorgan move into fourth.