Event: Sussex CCC Celebration Dinner - Location: The Hove Club
______________________________________________________________________________________________________75 people attended the Sussex CCC dinner on Wednesday (October 2nd) at the Hove Club in Fourth Avenue, to celebrate promotion to Division 1 and winning the Division 2 trophy. While the two-course meal lacked lustre, this wasn’t the reason for coming. It was for a unique and special celebratory ambience generated by those attending, alongside an opportunity to breathe in and embrace the momentous success enjoyed by the county during the season. A gourmet almost sensual experience not found anywhere else. Sussex CCC are back to where the club belongs and my God that feels good.
The decade-long former frustrations and failures including a farewell to Robbo; the Jason Gillespie, Australia hopping, cameo; a forlorn Rob Andrew youngster experiment and salary cutting practice leading to an exodus of top players… That nightmare is over. Now a realistic desire for success and a determination to win not just one, but many trophies once again has returned, and it is primarily down to this man… Coach Paul Farbrace.
“Farbs” has turned the club culture on its head. The one that had previously attracted criticism, quite rightly, from former Sussex luminaries, has been dismissed to the trash cans of Eaton Road. Not only does Paul sound impressive when sharing his future vision for the club, but to feel his gnawing hunger for success from a man who is entering the autumnal years of an already successful career is extraordinary. His dream is to bring both the Division one Championship and T20 trophies to the shores of Hove, within the next four years. And guess what? You believe him. While many have criticised the club for poor leadership both on and off the field in past years, the one HUGE decision by the hierarchy to choose Paul Farbrace as Coach, is set in the annals of Sussex CCC history. It ranks alongside the signings of Chris Adams and Mushtaq Ahmed.
The Q&A BeginsThis guy is on a mission. He still has much to prove to both himself and the world of cricket. And when combined with his many years of experience within the sport, and the global cricketers he knows, Sussex are blessed. Most recently with his excellent overseas signings, as well as the inspired decision to bring John Simpson from Middlesex to the South Coast.
I had the honour of sitting next to Simmo at the dinner where a lengthy conversation ensued covering many topics from the ups and downs of being a Man U supporter, his favourite local restaurants, to his move to Hove and, of course, a sensational first season as captain. He’s never been a leader before, at any level. Middlesex, during a 15 year tenure there, “never viewed me as captain material,” he remarked. Well, who has the last laugh now! His captaincy has been integral to Sussex’s success and thanks to Farbs, who gently pushed him to take up the mantle, followed by a 7 match trial at John’s request… as the saying goes, “The rest is history.”
John has scored 1,000 runs in a season only once before. He comes to Hove and immediately smashes it, scoring close to 1,200. A lucky season? Who knows, but this is a man who has quickly settled; works well with Farbrace and the players; and is a gritty, no-nonsense, hard-working professional, who appears unruffled by what he and his team have achieved.
Paul Farbrace, David Bowden MBE, Wife Pauline, John SimpsonBack to Farbrace.
Did you know he is a superb MC and raconteur? John Barclay has finally met his match. Farbs took to the floor with aplomb to lead the main event of the evening, a Q&A with Club Chairman Jon Filby, Tymal Mills and John Simpson, to discuss and answer questions about the 2024 season. During the Q&A, Simmo talked of his immediate captaincy concerns, and how he might bond with the players, especially those representing Generation Z like James Coles. “I know little about gaming or the latest music sounds,” Simmo wryly smiled.
FACTOID: Coles was born six months after Sussex had won their first Championship trophy in 2003.When asked about the influence gained from the Middlesex captains he played under, it became apparent there is an impish side to his nature. Candidly, he responded, “My first one was Ed Smith. He was the most disliked player at the club and perhaps, ever, so he didn’t last long. Then there was Shaun Udal who viewed his captaincy like a two year stag party. It wasn’t a great start for me.” There were roars of laughter from the audience. When asked about the Sussex players, Simmo quipped, “Initially, there were some in the team who shouldn’t have been allowed out of their homes, let alone on the field!”
We learned that at the recent Club Awards ceremony, the most improved player prize was given to Harrison Ward; best white-ball cricketer, Daniel Hughes; champagne moment of the season, Ollie Robinson bowling Phil Salt with the first ball of the T20 QF; and, of course, John Simpson was handed the red ball award. Who else could it have been?
"Oh Sussex, Sussex by the Sea!
Good old Sussex by the Sea!
You may tell them all we stand or fall,
For Sussex by the Sea."The audience also gained some fascinating insights from Tymal Mills, also known as ’T’. He too had no experience of captaincy at any level, but after the disappointments of Ravi Bopara, Mills has been a breath of fresh air.
“I want to give back to the club,” he emphasised. “They have been so loyal to me through my various injury problems.” This drive to succeed has taken T down the data and statistics path. “A few days before a game, I take my tablet to bed at night and watch video footage of past matches to see how the team's performance can be improved. I don’t know what my wife thinks. There’s now three of us in our marriage.” Obvious things were discovered like during the T20 power play, in particular, the batsmen should focus on getting fours towards the Sea End rather than the Cromwell End, as the ball travels faster along the ground due to the slope. James Coles gained special plaudits from Mills who described him as “brilliant” and “a player who surpassed all expectation.”
Farbs then took over and reiterated his personal creed. “Next season we must expect to win every game and compete with the very best in Division 1. There are some sensational players coming through our ranks who can only improve. The plan is to win the trophy by 2026.” He continued, “As for the T20, we punched above our weight this season, but I’ve said to T that we are going to reach Finals Day at least twice in the next four years and win it at least once.”
Several audience members stood up and thanked Jon Filby for his sterling efforts as Chairman. We discovered that after beating Glos and gaining promotion, he told Farbrace, “I think I might cry (pause). I will cry.” We also learned that James Kirtley followed suit. “We are lucky to have Jon,” Farbrace exclaimed. “I know we are in good hands.”
After a long season and an even longer night. "Seriously, have we just won promotion? Can someone pinch me again, please."After the Q&A was over, not to be outdone, ‘Johnny’ had his moment in the spotlight, prancing around the carpeted Hove Club floor like Rudolf Nureyev, while reciting a poem written by Supporter Sam, offering us the far flung joys of following Sussex cricket, where words like Hastings and Rye rhymed with Bognor and Chi. Meanwhile, Nick Gee led another hearty rendition of Good Old Sussex-by-the-Sea and one poor fellow who won the star raffle prize of a county championship shirt with autographs of all the players was then dutifully obligated to hand it over to the Club Museum for posterity.
BIG thanks go to Richard Barrow who organised the event, where all proceeds went to the 'Sussex Cricket Museum and Educational Trust'. Finally, I really hope this Sussex CCC dinner becomes an annual event again for supporters, where the Player Awards ceremony is a welcome addition.
