Market Drayton Cricket Club hopes for Ashes boost

Market Drayton Cricket Club is hoping to capitalise on the popularity of The Ashes series currently being played and attract potential Graeme Swann's to the club.

The club, which has been running for more than 100 years, has almost 70 members but used to have more than 100 just 10 years ago.

The ground in Betton Road costs up to £4,000 a year to maintain, with costs for equipment on top – but the club is failing to raise £2,000 each year at the moment.

Chairman Jonathon Caldecott said the costs far outweigh what they can collect through fees and donations.

He said: "We have 50 adult members and about 18 in the under 17s. "You need older people to help ferrying around but we haven't got any plans for succession at the moment, they don't seem to be coming through.

"Ten years ago we were at our peak but numbers have just dwindled and dwindled since then. Looking after the ground costs about £3,000 or £4,000 a year, then we have to pay for maintenance of machinery and plan for buying new, replacement funds.

"We spend about £20 on cricket balls per match, it is not a cheap sport.

"We are aiming to generate about £2,000 each year but we are falling well short of that at the moment."

He said some young players want to go on coaching courses to progress with cricket, but each course can cost up to £300."

He added: "The Ashes could bring some people in but if they don't come, I don't know what it is, if the attitude has changed towards not letting young people out but it is a safe environment, I just don't know why.

"It is not just about cricket, it is social skills, how to grow up and be an adult in the community, it is very important in the town."

But he said the club is currently "rebuilding" and is not anywhere near the threat of closure – but they do desperately need more younger members. They are also looking to establish an under 11s side.

The juniors trains on a Wednesday and the seniors on a Friday, both from 6.30pm.