DOM STEPS UP
As Great Melton Cricket Club take on the major challenge of Alliance Division 1 cricket following their promotion last summer, they will have a new man at the helm. 2023's Player-of-the-Year Dom Evans, currently improving his cricketing experience in New Zealand, was elected first team captain at the A.G.M.held on Wednesday 22nd November. He replaces Joey Greenslade who is stepping down after 2 seasons in charge culminating in Melton winning the Division 2 title last summer. The 1st Team's triumph was the pinnacle of the club's most successful season ever with the A and C Teams both achieving promotion plus unprecedented success at junior level with U17s, U15s, U13s and U9s all winning County trophies. All this on top of efforts to complete an ongoing improvement project involving the pavilion. The Senior Cricket, Junior Cricket and Coaching, Ladies Cricket and Membership reports were, unsurprisingly, upbeat and accepted unanimously by the members present.
Treasurer Carl Fawkes presented the statement of accounts showing that the club made an operating surplus of £6,532, £2,744 more than the previous year. He explained that £132,442 had been spent on the pavilion helped by £73,820 in grants but the club's funds had been boosted by £5700 from sponsorship mostly from shirt sponsors Alan Boswell Group, Yellow Brick Mortgages and Nimbus. It left the club's accounts looking healthy enough not to require any increase in subscriptions and match fees. Melton's subscription of £20 for senior players must be one of the cheapest around and it was no surprise that members voted to maintain the status quo with match fees staying at £7 for weekend matches and £3.50 for senior midweek and all junior games. Non-Players pay £10.
Officers were elected en-bloc with Simon Woods officially taking on the Chairman's role after operating as acting Chairman since early in the year. The club will, however, need to find a new secretary with Clive Gristwood likely to move away during the summer.
Nick Aston and Duncan Greenslade were voted in as A and C Team skippers following their success last season but, as well as the 1st team, there will also be a new man in charge of the B Team. With Eusha Fawad stepping down, having indicated a likely change of clubs, long-serving player Woody Loines was elected to captain the Bs.
The club will look at the possibility of entering at least one midweek competition but a distinct lack of interest in Sunday Cricket meant that no captain was elected and it was decided that, if there was a sudden upsurge of interest, suitable friendlies could be arranged
With 2024 marking the 50th Anniversary of the club, a sub-committee of volunteers was formed, headed by Nania Poulson, to plan some celebratory events and re-vamp the end-of-season presentation evening. Quite a lot of discussion ensued regarding this, the need to improve communication through the club's websites and social media channels, and a desire to improve the club's social offering. Club captain, Chris Greenslade, said that new players – of all standards but particularly of first team standard – would be needed and very welcome; that indoor nets were booked to start in January and that arrangements for the annual Golf Day would be announced soon.
The full list of officers elected is:
President, Steve Phoenix; Chairman, Simon Woods; Secretary, Clive Gristwood; Treasurer, Carl Fawkes; Fixture Secretary, Maxine Rushton; Membership Secretary, Georgia Ryan; Safeguarding Officer; Maria Greenslade; Club Captain and Bar Manager, Chris Greenslade; Head of Junior Coaching, Matt Rushton; Groundsman, Mike Phoenix; Statistician, Steve Phoenix; Junior Representatives, George Ryan & Sam McKay; 1st Team Captain, Dom Evans, A Team Captain, Nick Aston; B Team Captain, Woody Loines; C Team Captain, Duncan Greenslade; Ladies/Girls Team Manager, Unfilled; O40s Captain, Simon Woods.
