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Blackpool cricket cash-flow crisis
BLACKPOOL CC have been rocked by a cash crisis as they try to safeguard county cricket in the resort.
The total washout of last month's Lancashire-Surrey match at Stanley Park has contributed to the club putting out the begging bowl after sinking deeper into the mire.
Members and other would-be benefactors are being asked to chip in following a series of setbacks which have left Blackpool struggling to pay pressing bills.
Officials are pleading for 20 a head from almost 800 members to buy time while a package is prepared to get the club on a stable footing.
Revealing that losing the County Championship match cost Blackpool up to 12,000, chairman David Cresswell said: "We'll have a dialogue with
Lancashire to see what help they may be able to give."
Red Rose cricket at Stanley Park is up for renewal after their four-year agreement expired this summer.
County matches generate healthy bar takings and catering revenue, though there is considerable expense involved, with staff engaged for the four days and two marquees rented.
A further two people are employed to prepare the wicket.
Cresswell explained that revenue is lost because the venue is out of bounds for other activities before and during a county match – the kindergarten makes way for changing rooms and has to be compensated.
A soaked ground also forced Blackpool to transfer the Lancashire Cup final to St Annes and Cresswell said: "When things don't come off it leaves a big hole in the income stream.
"The club hasn't reported a profit for maybe four years and losing the Lancashire game compounded an ongoing problem. We have normally been able to count on that as a bail-out."
Cresswell said the club was also hit by the smoking ban and the dreadful weather which wiped out virtually all junior cricket for six weeks, also ruining practice nights and some senior matches.
Furthermore, an underground leak which went undetected for over four months ran up 5,000-6,000 on the water meter.
Next season's first-class fixtures are due out this month and Lancashire are braced to rely on outgrounds for the next two years while Old Trafford undergoes a transformation.
Former first team captain Cresswell quelled fears that the club could go bust.
"Our biggest debt is to Thwaites brewery, who are aware of the situation and want to keep us going. They have continued to be understanding and supportive.
"We've had an ageing membership for quite a time and the vast majority haven't been able to visit the club as much as they would like.
"Only 80 to 100 are actively involved and we are appealing for as many members and ex-members as possible to use the facilties on a frequent basis."
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
