When I first played for Sleaford as a fifteen year old in 1969 the Club President was Jack Temple who enjoyed a sixty-eight year association with the Club including a spell of almost twenty years as President during which time he represented the Club in distinguished fashion at all appropriate occasions. His successor was Michael Brown, who made a huge contribution to Sleaford Cricket Club prior to assuming the Presidency, having completed almost twenty years as Club Chairman. My immediate predecessor, Peter Hollingworth, was another to have made a huge impact on the history of Sleaford Cricket Club and my only regret in assuming the Presidency from Peter is the manner of succession.
The fact that Sleaford Cricket Club has had only three Presidents in thirty-five years is an example of the continuity that has underpinned the development of the Club during the last four decades. As an example this article is being written in the twenty-first edition of our Handbook and this Millennium publication is in full colour, and a worthy marking of the turn of the Century. Incidentally there have been only three Handbook Editors during its twenty-one year history, another example of continuity. It is appropriate at this point for me to thank the advertisers who have sustained the Handbook over the years and also the many other corporate supporters without whose help cricket could not flourish at Sleaford.
There has also been continuity in the staging of feature games at the London Road ground. The front cover message, provided by Hugh Morris, echoes the regard with which we are held at Lords, and the manner in which we stage our International fixtures is well received by those in authority and I know that the ECB Technical Director Graham Saville in particular, enjoys his visits to our Club and we are grateful for his support and to that provided by Terry Bates in being influential in steering fixtures Sleaford's way in earlier years. Incidentally this years International fixture will feature a players reunion similar to that which was held in 1989 and we will he hopeful of a gathering that once again approaches two hundred former members.
Another element of continuity has been an annual fund raising event. This year it will be a Golf Day on Friday June 2nd, more details of which are within the Handbook. We hope to raise £2000 or more on the day and will be seeking the help of many people to help us achieve our objective.
The 2000 Season will also see the continuity of Sleaford Cricket Club hosting fixtures for Lincolnshire County Cricket Club, and this year the two back to back matches in the last week in May form the core of a cricket week. This innovation is most appropriate given the fact that our Vice-Chairman, Colin White, is the County President and Sleaford Cricket Club sends him every good wish for his Presidential role with our County.
One area where continuity is to be broken is Sleaford first eleven's participation in the South Lincs and Border League. This season sees the beginning of the new County based Premier League, although it cannot he truly claimed to be a "Super League" until such time as Appleby Frodingham, Bracebridge, Burghley Park and Cleethorpes are participants. However, the fact that the League does appear to be attracting players who might otherwise have to play outside of the competition will perhaps lead to at least a step in the right direction of improved cricket, and with this in mind it is Sleaford's intention (quite correctly in my opinion) to employ the services of an overseas professional. This represents a major change for those traditionalists within the Club and the level of financial commitment required in this area for the future could well increase. Those of us with traditional views will have to accept the continuity that we have seen for many years in certain circumstances will change and in simple terms the traditionalists will have to move with the times whilst hoping that the players uphold the traditions that have built the club.
The management of change is the greatest challenge that the Club faces. The single most important element of continuity at Sleaford Cricket Club during my association as been the quality of people associated with the decision making process. That continuity will ensure the future success of our Club.