A sad and cautionary tale from Leicestershire

Apologies if that headline sounds as if it was lifted from Tolkien, but I was quite saddened today to read the article on Cricinfo regarding the parlous financial state of our neighbours, Leicestershire.

It could quite easily have been us. Were it not for exceptionally good management and an outstanding off-field team, there is little difference between the two counties. Indeed, their recent history is more trophy-laden than ours, but there has to be considerable doubt over the long-term viability of the club. This despite their excellent record in producing county and international cricketers, of course.

My understanding is that we have the smallest playing budget in the country, which suggests that Leicestershire are paying above market rates for players, as they are a team with few stars. The likes of Thakor, Eckersley and Cobb are decent talents, but the club have made some unwise decisions on the playing front and off-field trauma has never been far away in recent seasons.

After a loss of £250,000 last year, another sizeable loss must be a major concern for the supporters. It is an old ground and one that requires regular and major expenditure, the two combining to make a millstone around their necks.

For all the young talent in the squad, they desperately need someone to pull things together, both on and off the field. As we know all too well, young players can give your playing fortunes a short-term shot in the arm, but long-term consistency can prove elusive as they find their way in the game. A mixture of experience and youth is required to be a competitive side, but experience costs…and therein lies the dilemma.

Beneath the piece there are an assortment of comments, from realistic and sympathetic to the somewhat crass. ‘The answer is to combine counties’ – yawn – to ‘they need a sugar daddy’ – which I assume is a clumsy way of saying benefactor.

I’m less sure. What they appear to need is the robust business model introduced at Derbyshire and a similar salary structure that rewards good performance and encourages consistency. I’m less convinced that rich benefactors are a good thing from a long, or even medium term perspective. They might throw money around for a season or two, but as football has shown on countless occasions, that counts for little without a structured and methodical approach to recruitment and the day-to-day running of the club.

Chris Grant could quite easily have done that at Derbyshire, but instead has chosen to create and implement a business model and structure that should be sustainable in the long term and ensure that the club is run on a sound footing for years to come. I hope that supporters appreciate what we have here, because there will be more than a few envious glances across the country.

New board, new coach, new coaching structure, plans for a stadium revamp, or move, good young talent coming through and a talented set of players – all this over and above the committed off field team to which I have already referred. Now the prediction of another season in the black – albeit after some tough decisions being made – despite considerably more money being diverted to the playing budget.

We should have a good season this year and I am cautiously optimistic about our prospects. But I have every confidence that we are building for the long-term, not just a win or bust mentality that could go horribly wrong.

And I am very comfortable that it is the right thing to do.

In closing tonight, the news of a pre-season tour does come as a surprise, but is a sound move. Guaranteed good weather and excellent conditions, top quality opposition and a chance to get everyone loose – it has to be applauded. Once again a huge debt is owed to Mr Grant for his contribution to the cost, but the commitment of the players in paying the rest is laudable.

Continued off-field work will raise additional revenue and the club will leave no stone unturned in their quest to be among cricket’s elite.

I’m impressed – and I wouldn’t bet against them achieving their goal either.