CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

Welcome to the 2026 AGM for Tottington St John's Cricket Club, thank you for giving up your Thursday night to be involved in an important date in the club's annual diary.

Whilst we are very much looking forward to the new season it is useful to quickly reflective on last year. I think it would be fair to say that despite some fine individual performances, particularly early in the season, the first team had a challenging year, ultimately avoiding relegation due to the demise of another team in a higher division. I know the cricket committee and the wider club are determined not to let this stroke of luck go to waste and are determined to substantially improve on last year's showing.

Naturally, with the first team short on numbers at times, this had a knock on effect for our second team who finished 10th in the division, their lowest placing in over 3 years. Again, I know everyone is hoping and expecting a more competitive year in 2026, perhaps we will finally see promotion from the division they have occupied since joining the GMCL.

Our third team continued to be ably marshalled by Katie providing a vital opportunity for those that can't play on a Saturday and for those juniors who are ready to experience their first taste of senior cricket.

And finally, but perhaps most importantly our junior section continued to expand, providing enjoyable and competitive cricket across five age groups in 2025.

Just quickly returning to our third team, as some of you may be aware, after many years, Katie has decided to step down from the position of 3rd team captain and I would like to put on record my thanks to her for her substantial contribution over her time in charge. She has given numerous young boys and girls their first taste of senior cricket, many of them now playing regularly in our Saturday senior teams.

So, in wrapping up my review of last year I just wanted to put on record my thanks to last year's captains and wish this year's captains all the very best for the season whilst also passing on my sincere thanks to all those involved in the running of our junior section, quite literally the future of the club.

None of this progress or success just happens and we are extremely fortunate to have a committee made up of skilled, hardworking and enthusiastic individuals who I as chairperson do not take for granted. This is in no small part down to the fantastic atmosphere we have all created here at the meadows and long may we continue to be seen as a friendly and inclusive local cricket club.

Whilst Kieran will update you later regarding the continued progress off the field, I just wanted to bring you up to date on the exciting news I shared at last year's AGM, our purchase of the land.

I am pleased to let you know that following what has a been a long and painful legal process, we are expecting to complete the sale in the next couple of weeks. This remains perhaps the biggest development in the club's history and secures the future of our cricket club.

At this point I just want to provide my annual reminder that the main committee, cricket and junior committees are made up of volunteers trying to facilitate the best level and most enjoyable cricket they can. We don't always get it right, but we are driven by a desire to do the best we can for the club and its members. You can all help by making yourself available for the club and by being respectful and following the correct procedure if you are unhappy with any decisions made.

If you would like to become more involved in the running of your club, and you can see we have a lot on the go, then stick your hand in the air when we get to appointing the new committee later in the meeting. We are particularly looking for younger members to join so if you know of anyone who may be interested but couldn't make it tonight ask them to speak to one of the committee members.

I do appreciate, however, that not everyone can give up the time to join the committee, but everyone can still contribute to the running of the club, you will hear during the meeting about the various events we are planning and your support will, as always, be required.

The largest of these events is TBDO which over the time it has been held at the club, has contributed over £65,000 to our progress. It remains very frustrating that each year we struggle for volunteers, too many players are happy to turn up on a Saturday and play but give nothing back – make this the year you turn up on Sunday 5th July or for one of our other events.

OK that's enough from me for now so thank you for listening and I look forward to another exciting season of cricket in 2026.