Updated 2/1/2012

Hello again!
  Happy New Year to you and your family!

2012 heralds the beginning of what we hope will be a season to remember as we make our return, as a Club, to the Saddleworth and District Cricket League. We are back to our roots and where we feel we belong. Let's hope that we can start our season feeling confident and on more familiar territory.
 
Not a lot can be said about last seasons performances, however to those players and members who "Kept the Faith" I am truly indebted. We must not lose sight of the fact that this is a Cricket Club, and without cricket we would not be able to continue. Fortunately we have a large number of social members who support the Club both in and out of season. We cannot rely on these members to sustain the Club and it is up to each and every one of us to make our membership count. I appeal to all of you to renew your annual membership (playing or social) as soon as possible.
 
Over the last 3 years, and with the good will, generosity, help and support of many of our members, the Committee have worked hard to reduce the inherited debts of over £27,000. As at 5th December 2011 the treasurer was able to report a debt of £7,700.This, I am sure you will agree is a fantastic achievement, however we cannot allow ourselves to be complacent about this and the debt needs to be gone completely. Your continued support is needed and if you have any suggestions for fund raising ideas please speak to me or a member of the Committee. Your ideas and suggestions will be more than welcome as will your input in organising events.
Please be aware that the Club is available (subject to fixtures) for private parties, again please contact me and complete a booking form should you want to book a function.

The Social activities at the club are all intended for you to enjoy as a family, we want to maintain the family atmosphere that MCC is renowned for. Please see the website or Club Notice Boards for information about any forthcoming events.

The Junior section of the Cricket Club grows year on year, with in excess of 40 youngsters registering on Thursday evenings. We need to give these youngsters the opportunity to develop their skills and interest in cricket and would value adult support in coaching and helping with training sessions. We would appreciate greater parental involvement, your ideas and suggestions, in order to develop our Junior section as we work towards renewing our Club Mark status, if you are interested please contact me. The Club has been proud to see many of our junior players compete in senior matches and indeed represent the club and prove themselves at league, county and national level.

On behalf of the Committee I am delighted to announce Nick Lawrence as our First Team Captain for this season. Nick is MCC through and through with total respect for the club and it's members and, whilst he accepts that times have changed, Nick is keen to maintain many of the traditions of the Club and I am confident that he will have the mutual support, respect and commitment from all the players, committee and members.

So......as we look forward with optimism and a renewed enthusiasm to a successful season can I, on behalf of the Committee, ask you to support YOUR club in whatever way you can. We need volunteers to help with many of the background jobs, throughout the season, that ensure Cricket can be played , mouths can be fed and our supporters entertained! Please get involved and make the most out of being a member.

For some of our stalwarts, no doubt over the next 12 months many memories will be rekindled hopefully shared with our "younger" members and rewarded by a return to winning ways, with MCC becoming once again the real "Cream of the Pennines".
 
Thanks once again to all those who have supported me as Chairman and Secretary of the Club. On a personal note a huge thanks to my wife Donna, and our son George.

Should you require any further information or want to get more involved please contact me by e-mail.
Hope to see you all soon
Best Regards
Stephen Devlin

TO BOOK PRIVATE PARTIES OR FUNCTIONS,

PLEASE CONTACT THE CLUB SECRETARY

CLUB Tel/Fax:

01457 832163

Email: micklehurstcc@aol.com