Purley Cricket Club
Founded 1905
SETTING NEW STANDARDS
A lot is happening at
Purley Cricket Club
March 2011
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About Us
Purley Cricket Club is the founder section of a
multi-sports family club. The first match was played
in 1905. A founder member of the Surrey
Championship we currently have 4 adult league
teams, 3 ladies teams (2 of which play in the
National League) and 13 colts sides from 8-16 year
olds plus our Academy side.
Purley Sports Club comprises:
Purley Bowls Club
Purley Cricket Club
Purley Hockey Club
Purley Netball Club
Purley Squash Club
Purley Tennis Club
There is also a thriving social membership and a
very strong Bridge section.
www.purleysportsclub.co.uk
www.pitchero.com/clubs/purleycricketclub
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The Driving Force
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The Committee
Every strong club needs focused and
dedicated people working together to
achieve the vision.
In 2003 Steve Macdonald brought
together a new team drawn largely from
our very strong colts management. With
their strong cricketing knowledge and
experience linked to a clear commercial
attitude the new committee set their
minds to rebuilding the club on very
professional lines.
They quickly set to work establishing
strong links with the community and
with the County Club not only rebuilding
the club but setting new standards in
amateur cricket delivery.
Many of their programs have now been
adopted by the Surrey CCC, other Surrey
clubs, and in the case of the Trust League,
to other Counties.
March 2011
Mark Doherty
Chairman
Ian Glassington
Vice Chairman
Babar Qureshi
Head of Marketing
Peter Kelley
Treasurer
Purley Cricket Club
Andy Sugarman
House and Ground
Steve Macdonald
Head of Cricket
Eric Sands
Secretary
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On-field Success
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In 2003 things were at a low ebb. The only success was our
burgeoning colts section but our adult membership was
down to 9 players. Something had to be done!
The club decided to rebuild on the back of our colts
operation and a very strong group of young players.
The Trust League was created to hasten the progression of
our young players into adult cricket and no expense was
spared to fast track the coaching and playing
opportunities for our young talent.
The 1st XI had plummeted to Division 2 of the Surrey
Championship which was ridiculous considering the club’s
pedigree and facilities.
The first 2 years was all about steadying the ship,
gradually introducing the colts to the top teams.
In 2006 the club was promoted to Division One where
they have consolidated ready to push for promotion to
the Premiership in 2011.
The 2nd XI have won 3 promotions between 2006 and 2010
again taking the club back into Division One of the 2nd XI
league.
In 2010 the 3rd XI were also promoted to Division One of
the 3rd XI league.
In 2007 a 4th XI league team was created and they entered
the RAM league Division 3 and won promotion to Division
2 in 2010.
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Ladies section formed
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Started in in the summer of 2008 by five colts parents with the
idea of starting a Ladies Section.
Advertisements were posted in local papers and the sessions
attracted 25 potential players.
From this base, numbers have grown. Of the original 25, 15 have
stayed and others have now joined the group.
During the winter of 2008-9 over 35 Ladies/Girls attended the
two winter sessions and it became clear that we would now have
to form a dedicated Ladies Section and provide the coaching and
support that they deserved.
Early in the 2009 season Purley were approached by
Redoubtables Ladies C.C. from Wallington in Surrey with a view
to amalgamating with Purley. They are the second oldest ladies
cricket club in the World with nearly 50 members and field 3
teams.
Now Purley Redoubtables field 2 teams including the Surrey
Ladies captain and other Surrey Ladies players and the original
Purley Ladies mostly play in the Trust League.
The County Club are keen to support the new club and have set
the challenge for Purley Redoubtables to be the top Women and
Girls club in the County by 2012. Major facilities enhancements
are planned to support this ambition.
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Cricket professional in place
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Following on from the fine work by Keith Medlycott (below right)
Purley appointed John Fry (top right) as cricket professional
alongside his responsibilities his roles as newly appointed 1st XI
captain. John, head of colts coaching, is now perfectly placed to
maintain the links between the colts and the senior team and
develop that transition for years to come.
It has often been a desire of the club to have an established
professional working for the club coaching colts and the seniors,
helping with kit selling and other administrative responsibilities
as well as managing our extensive outreach programme.
John is a prolific opening batsman with over 18,000 1st XI runs
scored in the Surrey Championship with Dulwich, Mitcham,
Sutton and currently Purley. Additionally John has represented
Surrey 2nd XI, the Club Cricket Conference on tours to Singapore,
Australia, Hong Kong, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, plus two
seasons playing A grade cricket in South Africa / Cape Town and
two seasons in Australia playing in New South Wales. John is a
Senior Cricket Coaching Certificate holder from the previous
National Cricket Association, having coached at the Alf Gover
Cricket School. Over the 2010/11 period John is converting this
qualification to the new UKCC2 and hoping to get onto the UKCC3
course. Currently John is coaching Purley Colts and the Chance to
Shine schools coaching programme.
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Chance2Shine and Community
Programme
As a result of the success of Purley’s Chance2Shine
program instigated, in 2008, we have now amalgamated
with Redoubtables Ladies Club who had their own
program.
In 2011 Purley have also amalgamated with Chipstead
Cricket Club’s program and 11 state schools now receive
over 200 hours of free coaching delivered by the club’s
coaches.
Over 400 pupils, split equally between boys and girls, are
now being coached in cricket for the first time. They are all
encouraged to join the club as members and play in the
colts teams.
The following schools are involved in the programme:
Chipstead Valley School, Kingswood Primary School
Hayes Primary School, Smitham Primary School
Wallington Girls School, Riddlesdown Collegiate
Keston Primary School, Coulsdon Church of England
Primary School, Woodcote High School, Margaret Roper
Primary School , Thomas More Secondary School
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Winter Coaching Program at John Fisher
and now Riddlesdown School
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Purley have established a good working partnership with
both state and private schools. One of our key partners,
The John Fisher School from Purley, work with us to help
with the coaching of their pupils and allow us heavily
discounted rates for junior club sessions.
In this way the junior teams are able to train before the
season starts and individuals can get excellent one to
one coaching.
Academy sessions have been run once a month in the
winter with County players delivering Master Classes.
We are able to use video coaching and the bowling
machine to reinforce the coaching.
We are now working with In-Touch Cricket to provide
the highest level of coaching in not only the technical
elements but also strength and conditioning. The lower
picture shows a typical In-Touch session delivered by
Head Coach and Purley professional Kevin Medlycott.
This will be further developed with our expanding girls
recruitment and training.
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Over 135K in funding introduced in bids and
sponsorship in 6 years
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Steve Macdonald has worked alongside the Purley Committee to raise
significant funding over the last 6 seasons to help sustain the club.
Working in partnership with Surrey CCC, CricketForce, Sport England and local
commercial sponsors the following programmes and facility developments
have taken place with more in the pipeline:
Colts Summer Coaching Programme (SportsMatch £9,000 over 3 years)
Colts Winter Coaching Programme (SportsMatch £8,000 over 3 years)
Academy Programme (SportsMatch £10,000 over 3 years)
Women and Girls Section Programme (£7,000 over 2 years)
New Coaching Centre Building and County CC Office (£45,000 various funds)
Sponsorship from local businesses (£46,000 over 8 years)
Other minor funding pots for specific projects (£10,000)
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CricketForce County Showcase Event
Surrey C.C.C. awarded Purley with their
CricketForce Showcase club status for 2008
which meant that the entire might of
Surrey’s administrative and playing staff
descended on the club to carry out a huge
number of tasks including painting all the
sightscreens, repairing the nets and all of
the planting around the new building.
The Purley members were also out in force
for several weeks before and after the big
event carrying out over £20,000 worth of
fitting out to the interior free of charge.
The County players really mucked in and
when they weren’t digging and painting
they were taking coaching sessions with the
club’s colts.
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Surrey/Purley Coaching Centre Built
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Purley have been keen for several years to develop a
building capable of supporting their Colts and
Academy programmes. Consequently a building was
designed in September 2007 and submitted for
Planning Approval.
During discussions with the County it was decided
that this building could also act as a significant
external resource for the County Development Team,
as a centre for the newly formed Outer London
District and for Community Coaching and Course
delivery. It was also established that Chris Bullen
could also be based in the new building so that
County and District programmes could be developed
and delivered more efficiently.
With fantastic financial support from the Cricket
Club, SCCC, Purley Tennis, CricketForce, National Ltd
etc, this building was completed in April.
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Playing Facilities Voted Best in Surrey
Purley have always been able to boast one of the finest
grounds in the County. However, sadly the pitch had
deteriorated to such an extent that a 1st XI Surrey
Championship match had to be abandoned without a ball
being bowled on a perfect summer’s day because the
umpires were concerned for the player’s wellbeing when
they inspected before the start of play.
Urgent plans were drawn up and with the Sports Club and
the County Club’s support, funding was generated to firstly
remove the saddles and then Corro the entire pitch.
Through the generosity of a club member a set of new
covers was purchased and a new grounds contractor was
employed.
The end result was that the County Club have once again
returned to play several matches a year at the club and that
in 2010 both the wicket and the outfield were voted best in
the top two divisions of the Surrey Championship.
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Our partnership with Surrey C.C.C.
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With the growing relationship and links between the
club and the County Purley are proud to host several
2nd XI games each season.
These have been a great success and Purley will be
hosting 3 more in 2011.
Several of our ex-players coached at Purley until
they were 15 have gone on to represent the County
including Chris Murtagh, Tim Murtagh and Lawrie
Evans.
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New Ground Equipment
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Through the generosity of a club member a new set of covers
was purchased in 2007.
The nets have been resurfaced and netting repaired with a
major redevelopment of the whole net area planned by
March 2012. A major funding drive has been launched.
The existing 1920’s scorebox was demolished and a new
electronic scoreboard was erected (visible in the centre
picture).
New boundary rope generously supplied by a club member.
Astroturf wicket was refurbished in 2009.
New slip cradle purchased in 2009.
Two new cricket net cages purchased to allow practice on the
square.
£10,000 spent over 8 years on various coaching equipment.
Silicon video coaching system purchased in conjunction with
the County Club to allow every one of our players to have a
video coaching file.
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2nd Ground established and being
developed at Caterham
Purley Cricket Club entered into an agreement with
Caterham Barracks Management Trust to take on a rolling
one-year lease at the beautiful Guards Avenue ground
provided that they fulfil some local coaching for the new
community and take responsibility for developing the
ground.
The ground is used for our 3rd and 4th XI cricket as well as
for Purley Redoubtables 2nd XI and Trust League ladies
matches.
In 2009 Purley carried out an extensive refurbishment of
the pavilion as part of their CricketForce event and labour
and materials worth £10,000 were spent.
Negotiations are now underway to extend the lease so
that funding can be directed to further develop the
square and amenities.
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Our excellent Colt’s system
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Purley have long been famed for the quality of their colts
operation. They have twice won the very prestigious U.16’s
John Charcol Trophy and reached the final on two other
occasions. They have also won the Subaru County U. 13’s
cup reaching the South of England finals.
Over the years we have built up to 13 colts teams and we
aim to now add 3 girls teams over the next two seasons. We
cover the ages of 5-16 when the colts automatically enter
our Academy.
Purley have expanded the numbers of colts over the last few
years and now have a firm coaching structure in place for
the Colts run by John Fry who is the Cricket Club Professional
as well as the 1st XI captain.
Purley have relied on these youngsters joining the adult
teams and in the current 1st and 2nd XI a large proportion of
players have emerged through the ranks.
Not only have we welcomed many new colts into the Senior
club but our committee is strongly populated with former
colts parents.
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Academy introduced for all players above
Under 15
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In 2007 Purley decided that they were determined to
ensure that their promising youngsters were retained
at the club and did not drift away.
A special membership was created for every colt that
completed their Under 15 season. A non-elitist
programme was developed to offer training kit,
coaching and dedicated matches in the Trust League to
every player from 16-21 who wanted to stay.
The Academy offers the highest coaching available no
matter the young player’s technical ability with the
club’s desire to produce players to one day play in one
of our Senior teams whether that be the 1st XI or the
4th XI.
The Academy was launched with a day out at the Kia
Oval pictured above where the players were
introduced to County Management and Players during
the lunch interval.
In this way some 30 players have already graduated
and regularly play in the Senior Men’s teams and in
2011 one of them, Stuart Glassington, was elected as
captain of the 2nd XI.
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Created Trust League
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Formed in 2003 by Steve Macdonald, Purley President, as the
vehicle for the refocusing of Sunday club cricket with an
emphasis on youth integration into senior teams.
The rules stated that each team must field 6 players under 21
of whom 4 must be under 18. The other players could be of
any age.
In 2003, five clubs participated in a pilot scheme based on the
format being used in Kent. Sixteen clubs entered the first
Trust League proper in 2004 and an immediate significant
impact was made on the Sunday game, which at this level had
never seen coloured kit, blue stumps and orange balls
Since 2004, the League has gone from strength to strength.
From the sixteen teams competing in that first competition,
the league has grown to around 85 teams competing in five
competitions in 2010.
In 2006, long time Surrey and England player and manager
and Surrey Cricket Board member Mickey Stewart described
the league as, “a great innovation for cricket in Surrey” and
went on to praise it’s regeneration of Sunday cricket in the
County.
Club committee members Steve Macdonald and Eric Sands
received OSCARS from Surrey C.C.C. for their outstanding
contribution to Surrey Cricket.
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Full social events including golf days, quiz
nights, dinners for Surrey Beneficiaries
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Being at a sports club is not just about the game.
Just as vital are the friendships and the family
involvement that makes the whole experience so
much more enjoyable.
Not only have huge strides been made on the field
but the social program has also improved
dramatically, particularly now that the younger
players have matured.
Social events take place all year round with events
as diverse as our Cricket at Christmas Match played
in near sub-zero temperatures (pictured bottom
right) where everybody rushed into the bar for hot
soup rather than a pint!
They also include Race Nights, Quiz Nights, Dinners,
Golf Days (pictured top right), 6-a-side
competitions, inter-club T20s and regular trips to
the Kia Oval.
Everyone is welcome to join in the fantastic social
events which we also share with the other sections
of the club.
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Friends around the world
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Purley have developed a
fantastic relationship with a
club in Dubai where some of
their colts come to stay with
us in the summer and we
went out there over the
winter to play some cricket.
Ongoing arrangements are
in place and they tour
London every year based at
Purley.
14 players went to Dubai,
showing the strength of
feeling between the clubs
and played at the national
stadium etc (top left).
The club also embark on
regular tours in the UK
including an outstandingly
successful, if wet, tour to
Cornwall in 2009.
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Our Apprenticeship Program
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As part of our colts program the top
award each year is our apprenticeship
scheme which sends one player when
they reach the end of their colts years
to Australia for the winter. The left
hand pictures show Stuart Glassington
walking off having scored the winning
runs for Stockton Cricket Club in New
South Wales. He came back having
benefited hugely from the experience.
In the other direction we have strong
overseas links particularly with New
Zealand and in this way 2 future New
Zealand stars have come over in their
early 20s to play for the club and coach
the colts.
In the winter of 2010/11 Purley were
very excited when 2 of their ex-players,
Ian Butler (top right) and Luke
Woodcock (bottom right) played for
New Zealand against Pakistan in the
same match.
In 2011 Purley welcome promising
Western Australian Tim Miles to the
club.
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New Pitchero Cricket Site
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Primarily with an attempt to embrace with the modern
age and to find better ways of communicating with the
players of the club a new website was registered with
Pitchero.
This enabled far more reliable team selection with
players given weeks to advise on their availability.
The new site allowed for news and events to be easily
uploaded alongside photos, videos and much more.
Sponsors are posted all over the site with one-clicks to
their website.
Future updates will include the Purley Cricket YouTube
channel and other initiatives as we look to become the
most free-thinking club in the County.
We currently have over 150 registered users with the
wealth of these adults.
The site has attracted 23,203 hits and 3,467 users in 2010
alone and continues to improve day by day.
The website is :
www.pitchero.com/clubs/purleycricketclub
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We would like you to join us…
We have come so far but we have only just
started.
We want to be the best community-based
cricket club in Surrey.
We want to break new ground, pioneering
fresh ideas for cricket.
We need new partners, new skills and bags
of enthusiasm.
It will also take funding.
Can you help?
We would love to talk to you.
Contact us on: 02086600608 or via our
website.
March 2011
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