Cricket clubs losing thousands as rain delays season

Jamie Wilks Chairman of Stockport Cricket Club says it is losing £1,500 a week

A cricket club is losing hundreds of pounds a week as heavy rainfall continues to stop play for grassroots teams.

Appalling weather has delayed the start of the cricket season for grassroots clubs across Greater Manchester.

Fixtures have been postponed and for many it has meant a significant loss of income.

Stockport Cricket Club said it was currently losing £1,500 a week in takings from the bar.

Like many other clubs, it has been unable to prepare the pitch and the outfield because the ground is too wet.

Stockport Cricket Club in Cale Green was formed in 1855

Jamie Wilks, Chairman of Stockport Cricket Club said: "It's been really bad weather over the winter.

"We've been in the Cheshire County League for the past 20 years and for me, it's unprecedented that they've delayed the start of the season.

"We just cant get any tractors or any rollers on the pitch. Preparing a cricket square takes around a hundred hours of rolling and we've not been able to do it."

High winds have destroyed one of the nets at Stockport Cricket Club

Club secretary John Hilditch added: "At this time of year, we've got children training and adults training, we usually take around £1,500 a week behind the bar.

"On one night this week, we took £4.50.

"We also suffered storm damage earlier this week. The high winds lifted the covers and it smashed into one of our cricket nets, which was completely destroyed.

"That caused £2,000 worth of damage and we're now raising money to replace it".

'Unable to train'

Ian Brown from Cheadle Hulme Cricket Club in Stockport said hundreds of young cricketers have had a disappointing start to the season

Ian Brown from Cheadle Hulme Cricket Club, which was formed in 1881, said it was experiencing similar problems.

He said more than a hundred young cricketers play at the club on Friday evenings during the summer months have been unable to practice due to the rainy start to the season.

Mr Brown added: "The income from the bar is very important. If we don't have two first-team rugby fixtures, it shows and if we can't play cricket, it shows again.

"When the pitch is unplayable, there is a knock-on effect and we can't ask parents to come down with their children."