COUNTY CRICKET FINALLY FACES UP TO ITS FINANCIAL CRISIS
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It was cruel, agreed, but the harsh penalties imposed on Durham CCC this week has finally brought home to county cricket that there is a financial crisis within its midst which few have wanted to face up to. It’s been heads in the sand time where the ECB Sugar Daddy have kept the 18 counties safe over the last 10 years from the realities of commercial life.
Well, their Daddy did save the day because without the £3.8m intervention, Durham CCC would now be bankrupt and in administration. But that hasn’t stopped some commentators from blaming the Board for Durham’s ills.
David Harker should be Hung, Drawn and Quartered by Durham Supporters
One idea circulating the media is that the ECB forced Durham to become a TMG as one of their stipulations for being an 18th first-class county. If we are to believe the excellent
All Out Cricket feature about the history of the club we read, “...(Durham) had to build a ground capable of hosting Test cricket." In fact, the article points out there are 11 county grounds who all have this capability. So, why are there 9 counties who can host international cricket and not 11? 'Capable' is a very different word to 'mandatory'.
www.alloutcricket.com/blogs/durham-nightwatchmanI don’t believe the ECB put a gun to the Durham hierarchy. It was their ego which decided and therefore much of the blame must be placed firmly at their feet. They believed there was a need for a TMG even though four already existed in three and a half hours travelling time. Listen to this interview with club Chairman David Leach CBE, from April 2015, (2' and on) who states Durham will become "The big leisure centre of the North-East..." which will include a hotel, residential development, conference facilities... "That will become a BIG success..." Lashings of saccharin irony with a huge dollop of delusion on top.
www.durhamccc.co.uk/durhamtv/interviews/1/ChairmansAddressIV/Agreed, the Test bidding process was an error and in hindsight gave already established TMGs an advantage over the new ones. But no-one told the Durham hierarchy what to do. It was their business acumen which let them down and for that David Harker and his associates involved should be castigated by their Members. Don’t bleat about the cruelty of the ECB, but punish the perpetrators of such a folly as other commercial businesses that have failed.
When banks are offering 2% interest on loans, the Durham hierarchy were accepting some loans at 7.49% from creditors. Were they so desperate to borrow money that any rate would suffice? What other county is paying such a high level of interest on their debt in an era of historically low rates?
Those one feels most sorry for are the players who fought so hard this season to come 4th in Division 1 and were successful in the OD tournaments; as well as the supporters who must still be reeling today from the shock. Imagine how some must feel who placed so much effort raising money via charitable deeds to help with the ground redevelopment, only to find the club dream was being managed by a hierarchy who were out of their financial and commercial depth. This story is not so much about the evil ECB but about the poor standard of stewardship many counties suffer from. Where supporters languish due to those who run their club.
Critics may argue the ‘cruel love’ shown by the ECB is a political move to frighten other counties in debt to accept the financial olive branch of the potential City-Based Tournament (CBT). Why not. The ECB saw an opportunity to flex their muscle and suddenly county cricket has woken up from previously sleep-walking through a financial LA-LA-LAND.
This is a wake-up call and a much needed one and for that the ECB must be applauded. Having researched and written about the financial crisis facing county cricket for over 5 years, I am heartened and relieved that finally the ECB have stepped in. In the past, they have been far too lenient. But was this ‘cruel love’ sufficient? Should the Board have gone one step further and allowed Durham to go into administration?
Perhaps, yesterday’s sharp, shock measure is enough for now. County cricket, finally, has woken up to its financial problems where a CBT is now almost inevitable.
S&F, if you're going to quote from the articles you provide links to, please make sure your quotes are correct! What the alloutcricket article actually says is 'When Durham were accepted as a first-class side, it was contingent on them developing a ground able to host Test matches'. So the ECB did effectively put a gun to the Durham Hierachy as far as ground development went and yes it was mandatory. They then moved the goalposts as far as hosting test matches by making counties bid for the right to host test matches.
Durham hosted Sri Lanka in May this year, when would they have had to bid for this test? I don't know the answer to my question but I guess it would be some time ago. Maybe the financial situation was not as serious when the bid was made? In any case, that test followed hard on the heels of the Headingly test. Shambolic scheduling to say the least. Despite your constant gripes, THERE IS a market for a test match ground in the North East. Durham enjoyed 5 full days when hosting the Ashes test in 2013. Thank you for pointing out that we North Easterners should be content with travelling up to 3 and a half hours for the privilege of watching test cricket. I doff my cap to you!
You also comment 'When banks are offering 2% interest on loans, the Durham hierarchy were accepting some loans at 7.49% from creditors. Were they so desperate to borrow money that any rate would suffice? What other county is paying such a high level of interest on their debt in an era of historically low rates?' Do you know when the loan at 7.49% was taken out? Once again, I don't know the answer to my question but I suspect that this loan dates back some time prior to the current low interest rates. Why it has not been refinanced is another question!
You also insinuate shady dealings between David Harker and Gautem and Hiren Radia. Care to enlighten me?
