New Year Message from Jon
by Fernhurst CC Chairman, Jon Meier
A new year brings a new pavilion. I cannot wait to use our fantastic lounge, bar and changing rooms and know I am not alone. The new pavilion is bigger, brighter and more beautiful than the old.
We should be rightly proud that Fernhurst Cricket Club members raised and donated so much and that we earned the financial backing of Sussex Cricket Foundation and the England Cricket Board at a critical juncture. Throughout 2022 we were at our adaptable best to get the game on. In fact, it was the busiest fixture list in the history of Fernhurst CC. No senior matches being rained off must be a first. We dealt with the lack of changing rooms and losing balls into the building site with typical Fernhurst fortitude.
A quick list of highlights:
# New mobile practice net, two more sightscreens, ropes for the second pitch and a full set of women’s hardball equipment all added to our inventory.
# 141 matches recorded on Play-Cricket
# Frog Box video streaming acquired and used in several I’Anson league matches
# Flames (pictured below) winning the I’Anson softball league for the second year in a row with three of the team making the rep team, winners with Petworth of the Sussex softball league and being named Team of the Year (again) in the Sport Haslemere awards.
# Record attendance at the end of season dinner. We were determined to be the first ‘club event’ in the new building and we were!
# another great year for all our junior teams and the Fernhurst youngsters who also play county cricket.
A lack of consistent player availability was one of the main reasons the 1st XI was relegated to Division 3 of the I’Anson league. I want to thank everyone who pitched in. Juggling team-sheets also impacted on the promotion push of the 2nd XI from Div 5. We all know Fernhurst should not be in Div 3 and we are all going to make a big effort to go straight back up again.
The Sunday XI had another extremely long season, stretching from late April to late September! Having a fun time went hand-in-hand with winning and, of course, keeping the tradition of the cricket tea. It is great to see so many of our juniors get their first taste of senior cricket in the Sunday friendlies. They return to Arundel Castle, Goodwood and Petworth Park in 2023 and there is even talk of an overseas tour …
Two special events this year: we are hopeful of hosting the I'Anson League Women & Girls Finals Day in mid-summer so it would be great to have a big turnout for that. Can the Flames do the hat-trick on home turf?! Earlier, on Bank Holiday Monday 29th May, we will be running a large, internal T10 cricket tournament as part of the main community Opening Day event for Pavilion2022.
Finally, I want to thank John Mitchell who retired as our President at the AGM. Since 2009, John has been a prominent supporter, spectator and adviser to the club and I have found his counsel invaluable in my time as Chairman. It is fitting that John is able to see the fruits of his labours in being a key member of the trustees driving the pavilion project and knowing the club is in such good shape.
John is now one of four Honorary Life Members of Fernhurst CC and is succeeded as President by Bill Gourlay. I am delighted that Bill accepted our offer; he has played for Fernhurst for years, was instrumental in reviving the junior section and getting the nets constructed and, like John, has been absolutely key to the Pavilion2022 project.
2023 is a new era for our club. We know times are tough which is why there is no change to membership pricing. So, as I wish you a Happy New Year, I also encourage you to renew on your FCC Membermojo profile now!
Best wishes,
Jon Meier,
Chairman, Fernhurst Cricket Club.
