Re. Your Derbyshire County Cricket Club Life Membership
On behalf of all the players, support staff, the off-field team and the Supervisory Board at Derbyshire County Cricket Club I hope that you and your families are continuing to keep safe and well during these unprecedented and challenging times.
Following on from my last letter and a very uncertain three or four months, I am delighted that it has now been confirmed that the domestic cricket season will commence on 1 August. We will be competing in both four-day and one-day cricket this summer and our first team squad have been training intensely over the last few weeks in preparation for the opening match of the 2020 season.
There was a time when I’m sure we all thought there may be no cricket in 2020, so to have both red and white ball fixtures is pleasing for everyone associated with the club.
Members Feedback
Unfortunately, at the time of writing we still have no indication whether Government will allow spectators to watch live sport this summer. It is still a question of if rather than when. With this in mind, I wrote to all Members at the end of June asking you to let us know what options you would like us to consider for your 2020 Membership.
I was delighted to receive positive feedback from over 250 Members expressing a range of views, with the majority acknowledging the challenges that we face in the short and medium term as a business. Thank you for taking the trouble to respond.
As you know our club is in a difficult financial position. We face a loss in revenue this year of over £1.5m relating to match tickets, hospitality, and our Conference & Events business.
Equally challenging is the long-term financial recovery, based on expected reductions in ECB payments next year, as well as uncertainty regarding both cricket and non-cricket events.
This revenue has in previous years allowed us to increase our investment in cricket and our first team squad. While we have done what we can to mitigate the impact in the short-term, the full financial impact on the club and the game from the Covid-19 pandemic is still unknown and will most likely be felt next year rather than this year.
International training and Women’s Internationals at The Incora County Ground
The club’s 2020 budget included £3 million ECB central funding, which is over 50% of the club’s budgeted revenue. This funding is underpinned by the ECB’s Media Rights agreement and it is essential for professional and recreational cricket in this country that the full international cricket programme included in this agreement goes ahead this summer.
The ECB has worked with both Hampshire CCC (The Ageas Bowl) and Lancashire CCC (Emirates Old Trafford) to utilise their facilities, creating bio-secure venues to host the West Indies series in the interest of the whole game. I am proud and delighted that we have now been asked to play our part, firstly by hosting the touring Pakistan squad and subsequently England Women’s international fixtures later this summer.
Pakistan’s summer tour of England and the international series in September are both extremely important in securing the financial future of the domestic game, not just this summer, but beyond.
The fact that we have been selected to host not just a pivotal training camp, but an entire international series, goes to show that Derbyshire is continuing to establish itself as an integral venue for international cricket.
As I said earlier it seems unlikely at the moment that crowds will be allowed to watch sporting events this summer, but this decision means that Members would not be able to watch matches at The Incora County Ground as Derbyshire will play all its fixtures during the 2020 season away from home – at this stage behind closed doors. Should a limited number of spectators be able to attend matches later in September, then it is our intention that those who remain Members of the club would have access to Derbyshire fixtures.
Your Life Membership
Your overwhelmingly positive response, and unequivocal support as a Life Member has helped us to reach a decision regarding all 2020 Membership packages.
The Supervisory Board is acutely aware that this is a challenging time for all and I would personally like to thank you for your willingness to continue supporting the club financially this summer. The responses from Life Members were all unreservedly supportive and continue to show the great number of loyal supporters Derbyshire has.
Each year our cricket budget is heavily influenced by our Membership numbers and next year will see an even greater reliance on the support of our Membership.
Life Membership: Automatic inclusion in Derbyshire’s exclusive 150 Club
Although it is not the 150th anniversary celebrations we had all hoped to enjoy, this year Derbyshire will benefit from the support of its Members more than ever. Club Members have been offered the opportunity to donate their 2020 fee to extend their support of Derbyshire and in doing so become members of the 150 club. As a Life Member, we want to recognise your loyal support by automatically including you as a 150 club member, with the following benefits:
- Retain all current benefits as part of the 2020 season, including entry to fixtures at selected other venues where applicable (full terms & conditions to follow)
- Name printed on a plaque at The Incora County Ground, dedicating your support
- Receive £20 of Club Shop vouchers, to put towards merchandise or books, including the club’s 150th Anniversary book
- Receive a personalised signed letter from a Derbyshire player
- Car Park Pass (where applicable) will be carried over to 2021 at no extra cost
Full terms and conditions are available to all Members at derbyshireccc.com. Click HERE for terms and conditions.
I know a number of you have been joining our popular virtual Members Forum’s over the last few months. It has been good to see you and pleasing to receive your enthusiastic responses to this way of communicating with you. Our next Forum will be on Thursday, 23 July at 7pm. For further details of how to join please email [email protected] or call 01332 388 101.
The interaction we’re seeing at Members’ Forums, through your recent feedback and through activity online continues to prove that Derbyshire has a loyal and committed Membership.
Thank you as always for your continued support, stay safe and I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Forum.
Kind regards,
Ian Morgan
Chairman
