Richard Barrow stepped down from the Sussex CCC Board in April after 25 years of long-standing and loyal service for the Club. Below he discusses the reasons for the decision, the highlights of this long tenure alongside his proudest achievements.It felt the right time to step down. It was my decision and my decision alone. I joined the Committee in 1994. It took three years of determined effort before I was elected. At the time, the Club Chairman was Alan Caffyn. I wanted to shake things up a bit for there was no ambition due to the Committee being very stick in the mud.
At my first meeting only two of its Members made me feel welcome (Johnny Barclay and Ken Hopkins). I remember Ken said something very profound to me that day. “You found it very difficult to get on here, Richard, and I promise you this… You will find it even harder to get off.”
At first, I was unable to make any impact, but after the first few meetings I asked the then Cricket Manager, Norman Gifford, a few questions. Afterwards Caffyn took me to one side and told me not to ask anymore in the future, so as not to put him under pressure. I replied, ‘What do you want me to say?’ Caffyn responded, ‘Absolutely nothing! Just enjoy the cricket.’
There was a huge disconnect between the Committee and Members, so I suggested creating a Public Forum. My idea was pooh-poohed, but Caffyn told me that if I wanted to set it up myself, I could. So, I placed a table in the Pavilion at lunch-times during match days and advertised it as the ‘Committee Surgery’. One of the first people to give me an ear-bashing was Jim May. That’s how we first met and, of course, this ultimately led to the Members Revolt which is well documented in Chris Stonor’s booklet
Revolution ’97.
After the successful rebellion, the ‘Committee Surgery’ evolved into the first Public Forums which I chaired alongside Tony Pigott, Chris Adams and Dave Gilbert. I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Also, I became Chairman of the Sussex CCC marketing department. In those days, the Committee had a far more hands-on approach, unlike today. It was all about Pro-cricket and we were involved in the daily running of the Club, such as setting the Membership fees, discussed fixtures and venues etc.. None of this happens today. I particularly enjoyed this 15 year period of my tenure. Today, the Board only sets the policy and strategy and I must admit, I’ve found it difficult to re-adjust.
Through the
Sussex Cricket Foundation, the Club are involved in all aspects of the County which is to be embraced, but to be honest, my first love remains Pro-Cricket. Also, the governance today is dictated by
Sport England, which I find imposing and disagree with. Times have certainly changed. Perhaps, I have not evolved myself? So, I have done my bit and it’s important to attract younger people. Also, there is a new governance that states Board Members can only have a 3 year tenure before another election where their position can only span 9 years in total. So, my 25 years won’t be seen again at County Cricket level, which arguably is correct.
The most successful Chairman I worked with was David Green. He brought us unimagined triumphs. Whatever he touched, success followed and like other similar people he was lucky too. We won 9 trophies under him. His whole focus was on just Sussex CCC. That 2000s golden decade was an amazing time to be on the Sussex Board. I loved every minute of it. These were very special times.
I was David’s Vice-Chairman for 6 years, so when he stepped down in 2008, I put myself up to take over, but I don’t have any regrets over not winning the election. Jim May was a sound choice. I was running my own business and Jim had recently retired from a prestigious banking position with RBS. He had far more time than I did. Jim is a great networker and politician (very good at not answering difficult questions) where his strength was the governance side. Under his auspice
Sussex Cricket was created. While, Bob (Warren) does a good job as the present Chairman, his hands are tied by
Sport England and the ECB (shades of the EU) over what he can and can’t do. Sadly, a county club is not allowed to run themselves anymore. In the past, we had far more freedom and flexibility to make our own decisions.
Diversity is another big issue today.
Sport England are very clear about the need for more female and ethnic representation. For example, next year one third of a county Board must be female and the ethnic make-up of the club’s locale must be expressed too. I disagree with this. I believe it should be based on merit for if you have 11 women running a Club because they are the best people - fine - but it would be awful to lose some top candidates just so as a box can be ticked.
Presently, Sussex have just one woman on the Board and yet we are only one of 4 counties who have any women at all, so Sussex still need to find two more to reach the quota. Therefore, it’s a strong likelihood that a woman will take my place and if she is from an ethnic background all the better.
There is a misconception about being a Board Member. There are
no perks apart from free car parking within the ground. Some supporters believe you sit in the Board room all match day drinking and eating the Club profits away. No, you have to pay for everything right down to the last drink and morsel of food. You are also expected to financially support Club events too. After being appointed a Vice-President when I stepped down, an honour I readily accepted, I am going to their dinner this week and it’s costing me £35. As someone pointed out to me, I still hold all the Committee privileges, but without any of the responsibilities. What a perfect situation to find oneself in.
Steve de Clermont the original Museum ChairmanHelping to found and then build today’s Sussex CCC Museum is a proud achievement. Originally, it was little more than an assortment of Club artefacts stored in a portakabin.
Hugh Griffiths was the then museum secretary which was more an archivist role only. He wanted a Board Member to join him when, under Club CEO Dave Brooks, the ground redevelopment took place. Originally, today’s location was to be a bistro as it’s right next to the kitchens, but we made a good case for change of use and won the day.
The initial driving force behind the museum and educational trust (SCMET) was Steve de Clermont. He became the founding Chairman and a generous sponsor. Tragically, in December 2010, he died at the age of 68 years-old and at the ensuing meeting everyone appointed me. I wasn’t keen to take on the role, but I did throw body and soul into the work. I am proud of what we and the volunteers have achieved. Certainly, I don’t take any personal credit for its success.
We were fortunate in holding a fantastic collection of early Club artefacts and along the way we’ve had some great moments too with a highlight being the Robin Marlar Cricket Memorabilia auction in April 2015. Both Nic Sharp, Phil Barnes and Jon Filby worked tirelessly to make it such an amazing success. Robin gave the museum 20% of the sale proceeds (estimated at over £30,000) which put the premises on a strong financial footing.
Also, I organised various charity events to raise money. They included a luncheon in the Tower of London (2017) where Andrew Strauss gave a speech and Rob Andrew and Johnny Barclay attended. It was a great day and after all expenses we netted around £24,000. I was pretty pleased with that.
In fact, I co-ordinated 20 or so charity events, mainly luncheons. Another one was held at the House of Commons where Sir John Major spoke as well as a joint tribute event at Hove in memory of Christopher Martin-Jenkins and Tony Greig.
Ted Dexter back in the Sussex fold at the Boundary Rooms holding the Gillette Cup aloft
A further example was organising the first charity event in honour of Ted Dexter in March 2012. This was the first time he had been a part of the Club for near on 30 years. It was a glorious sunny day and we raised a good amount of money.
A few of us showed Lord Ted around the museum after the lunch where he said with genuine emotion that he believed he was yesterday’s man and had been overwhelmed by the reception from supporters. It was a very touching moment only made more special when I gave him one of his 1960s bats from the archives to hold and he duly strode down the long carpet playing imaginary cover-drives. I thought, ‘This is a bit magical. I am standing just a few yards away and watching the great Ted Dexter at the age of 77 years-old swash-buckling majestic cricket shots.’
When someone asks me what my highlights are, it is difficult to say as there have been so many. Obviously, winning the Championship trophy for the first time in 2003 has to be the ultimate. Then to watch the likes of Mushy, perhaps, the most successful Sussex bowler ever, or Murray Goodwin, undoubtedly the best post-war Club batsman alongside Michael Bevan who was in a class of his own. Then to meet your heroes in the Committee Room and socialise with them. Amazing. For I had two lives. My everyday job and then a Walter Mitty existence as a Board Member.
Although, I have stepped down I will continue to support the Club with all my heart. Someone told me the other day how surprised they were to see me at the ground. How silly is that.
As for the future we are in excellent hands under the stewardship of Rob Andrew. A consummate professional with vast experience, I support his plans to redevelop the ground again, although, like others, I view the proposed £1.5m North End development as a red herring. We are the only county ground still to have green space. This, along with the deckchairs, are culturally sacred to Hove. I would hate to see this area developed and turned into concrete. There is no reason why we can’t continue to put in temporary stands when required.
Finally, I feel so privileged, honoured and lucky to have experienced 25 years at the top county level. As a young man, if I’d been told this it would have seemed quite incredible and unbelievable.