Allen Brierley’s guidance, given his accountancy background, has been crucial. He is the voice of reason in many of our meetings and has helped me significantly.

I would like to thank him personally, but I fear he'll collar me about the need to find more savings...!

That these are the type of discussions we have all the time should in some way reassure you all we are trying our level best to manage the club in a sensible and prudent way.

In the last few months, for example, I have renegotiated all our utility contracts and others such as the one with credit card provider World Pay.

We also have a new alarm system which is approximately 30 % the cost of the previous one.

Dave Butterworth has even changed all or most of the light bulbs for energy efficient ones.

These are changes you will not see, but I'm hoping most of you will have seen more evident changes such as the new Smart Dispense System which is giving us chilled beer.

Many of you have told me they believe we supply the best pint in the area! Which, of course, is good for business.

In fact bar sales are approximately 20 % (gross) up on the same period last year, which is more to do with our member’s great support than anything else.

The new system also saves on waste, which should mean our gross profit improves…

We have also undertaken a series of meetings with the brewery (Heineken) aimed at getting the best possible deal, which I believe we have achieved.

In fact Heineken are our newest club sponsor which has significantly offset the cost of the Smart Dispense.

The new committee has been very busy indeed.

I should also take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported me throughout this period by helping out at club functions such as the T20 finals day which was a great success, and others for their kind words of encouragement.

In the midst of all this activity it was nice to take time out to visit our Lady Mayor, Councillor Bowerman, in July, to honour the fabulous service Ted Bowdon and Howard Kerr have given the club over the years.

Both our revered elder statesmen were made to feel quite important for the morning, and rightly so.

Back to business I’m afraid…

In simple terms these are possibly the most challenging and eventful times in the clubs history.

I will be contacting you all in the next few months to let you know what the Committee proposes in terms of future investment. In particular how we intend to manage the substantial funds left us by the late Albert Hill.

Albert’s legacy has been a regular item on our Agenda and represents a unique moment, in that the club has rarely, if ever, had so much money at it’s disposal.

All of you must realise we cannot invest a penny of this money without careful consideration, ensuring that whatever decision is made is in the interests of the club’s long term future.

We also have a constitutional requirement to meet with our Trustees, for approval of any such future plans.

I would also like to inform you that we are also working on a Club Development Plan, which will serve as a template for all future sports and social activities, including a restructured junior setup and ongoing first team development for cricket and squash, plus, the refurbishment of existing cricket and squash facilities. This will include the squash changing area and the cricket practice area, both of which are in urgent need of attention.

I would like to thank Richard Chew for his assistance with this. He has worked really hard to get the draft document ready. Likewise, I would like to thank Ron Williamson for the same regarding the squash section.

Socially we are a vibrant club, as evidenced by the upturn in bar sales.

With this in mind I would like to single out Jo Brown, for special mention. she has worked really hard with all the new initiatives and changes.

There is no doubt the club is starting to head in the right direction.

I welcome your thoughts as always, especially if you have a suggestion as to how we can further improve.

Importantly, I would like to announce a couple of items from our recent Committee meeting, which if successful will help our club take the next step and improve financial stability.

Again, I welcome your most forthright feedback and opinions.

In order to raise much needed funds and in line with similar successful initiatives we have pioneered in the past, such as the Patrons, we intend to introduce a new GOLD MEMBERSHIP.

Intended to appeal to existing members who specifically want to contribute towards an improved cricket set up, the extra revenue will be ring fenced specifically for this purpose.

In return GOLD MEMBERS will receive an increased bar discount of 15 % and entry into the forthcoming CLUB LOTTERY.

So, if you would like to take an even more prominent position in the club’s drive to have the best team in Cheshire and enjoy some generous club benefits, please get in touch with the club.

I have spoken to several of you already and received positive reviews, with people eager to join up.

The likely cost will be £30 per month, paid by direct debit, and will replace all other senior memberships, including like minded players.

The cost for a family is likely to be £40.

Unfortunately we are not able to include all child memberships because we have to account separately for those under Club Mark rules, but Gold Members will receive some beneficial subsidies.

The second initiative, as mentioned above, is the Club Lottery. Something other clubs have been running for some time.

In fact I intend to visit Hawk Green this afternoon to talk to their treasurer about the system they operate.

In essence we plan to start the Hyde CSC lottery in the next few months, and hope you will all join in.

The cost is likely to be £5 per month (by DD), with monthly prize draws at the club and a bi-annual rollover draw.

The precise details are yet to be decided, but I’m sure you will agree, the idea, suggested by Bobby Brierley, is exciting for the club and should keep our members involved through the winter months.

It’s vitally important we involve as many of you as possible during the winter months, and I hope you will be able to support us at some forthcoming social functions.

As you may know we intend to show football, so if you support one of our local teams please choose us as your preferred venue.

We should be an attractive option especially given the significant beer subsidies and special offers we provide.

It has also been suggested we put on some food, especially on Sundays..

Further to this we plan to have a monthly social function for members and guests, starting with a live music night on Friday 29 September, featuring a Jersey Boys tribute band.

Jo Brown will be letting you have details and arrangements for tickets etc.

On a related note, the squash season is upon us and it is very much my hope they enjoy a great season.

If any of the cricketers fancy a game, the courts are available, and unlike cricket do not require a sunny day to be at their best…

I also hope some of our junior cricketers, with their season almost over, will give squash a go.

Ron W and the Squash Committee will be organising a special practice day, with new coaches, on Saturday mornings, to encourage as many newcomers as possible.

Finally, lets hope the cricket season finishes on a high, with four games to go your support on the Low could be crucial.

Our captains, Danny Berry and Martin Coyne, are doing everything they can to rally the troops for one last big effort to ensure Premiership survival.

Kind Regards Buckers.