Big earners happy but clubs not so
THE publication a couple of months ago that England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes was expected to earn £2.4 million this year paints a vivid picture that cricket is enjoying a financial boom.
Compare that to 30 years ago when the late Graham Dilley, then England’s top fast bowler, enjoyed a salary raise from £12,000 a year at Kent to £23,000 when he made a high-profile switch to Worcestershire and the figures do look impressive.
Aided by the ICC’s revenue share of worldwide TV rights, Stokes’ employers, the ECB and the Indian Premier League, can afford to hand out salaries like the £700,000 Chris Woakes receives from Lord’s for his Central Contract.
The first-class counties, too, are enjoying bigger annual handouts from the ECB with so much one-day cricket being staged outside the traditional Test venues and the ever growing popularity of T20.
That, however, is where the feel-good factor ends as the finances of many recreational clubs, none of whom can charge gate money or enjoy TV income, are on a knife-edge.
Admittedly, in February the ECB announced details of its ‘All Stars’ initiative where parents of young children wanting to take up the game would only have to pay £40 for a rucksack full of equipment and eight weeks of introductory sessions at their local clubs.
However, the clubs have only been offered £5 for each child that signs up and many are feeling the pinch of participating in this scheme.
Their plight is best summed up by the former Hampshire and Middlesex wicketkeeper Chris Goldie, who has been involved in club administration for over 30 years and is currently chairman of Richmond whose first team compete in the Middlesex Premier League.
Their historic home ground, Old Deer Park, is shared by the London Welsh amateur rugby team, as well as tennis and archery clubs, and plays host to a Middlesex T20 Blast each year, but Richmond have to meet costs at two ends of the scale.
“We have two full-time groundsmen and staff are paid to run our facilities,” Goldie told TCP. “With 500 colts and five senior teams, we have to maintain excellent facilities for play and practice and whilst we did get a grant from the Middlesex Cricket Trust when we needed to refurbish the five nets we have, it is a constant battle.
“The real challenge is simply the costs of staging matches as the core costs are significant. Umpires cost £40-45 each, two new match balls are around £20 each and then we have to produce the lunches and teas that are part and parcel of the game.”
Goldie also explained that Richmond have to pay their scorers.“Some clubs do have volunteers who turn up week in and week out and don’t take any money. But I am willing to bet that they are few and far between.
“At first team level, we have to have a scorer for every match. There are penalties if we don’t. And now it is not just a case of just completing a traditional scorebook.
“The ECB requires Premier League cricket to put scores live online. So, not only do we need laptops and internet access, we need scorers who can manage the systems. No wonder that they want paying £20-25 per match. So it all adds up.
“Players pay subs and match fees so that makes a small contribution but students and colts only pay reduced subs. The simple fact is that match fees do not cover match costs.
“To keep people playing, we have to try and keep the subs and match fees affordable but we cannot offer cricket for free. It simply doesn’t work.”
Goldie is hoping that when the ECB introduces its new regional T20 competition, some money will drift down to the clubs where money is most needed but it’s too early for any details to emerge.
“The ECB launches some great initiatives but I think it’s important that it looks again at the realities and pressures that face clubs every season,” he said.“Because while youngsters may experience cricket at schools, it is at clubs where they develop as players and enthusiasts. It’s clubs that provide matches and time to play.
“It is clubs that offer quality coaching. And it’s clubs which give youngsters a pathway to play the game as adults. Without clubs, there is no future for these kids.
“And let’s not forget that the clubs produce England players for the future. Just looks at what Sheffield Collegiate did for Joe Root and Michael Vaughan.”
Meanwhile, Goldie and his colleagues are facing a new challenge as they negotiate a new lease for their Old Deer Park HQ with the Crown Estate.
“We have to secure this ground for future generations – not just cricketers, but rugby players, tennis players and others.We are in a stronger place than some clubs but this is an issue that is creeping up on all of us who love our sport.”