Macclesfield Cricket Club Ducks Out of Move
After years of uncertainty over their future location, Macclesfield Cricket Club, founded in 1847, has turned its back on a big move to a new out of town location and decided to stay at the Victoria Road ground.
A combination of the recent economic downturn affecting land value and an understanding that, as a community club, they really belong in the heart of the community they represent, led to the club's committee proposing to the membership that they abandon the plans to sell their ground.
Planning permission had been granted for a retirement village at the current site but the committee and club members agree they should stay as near to the centre of Macclesfield as they can.
The club will now concentrate on working in partnership with club sections, including the bowling and hockey, and the wider community, to revitalise their clubhouse and grounds to develop a key facility at Victoria Road for use by the local community.
Central to these plans is the success of the junior section, Macclesfield Cricket Academy, which over the last eight years has become recognised as an influential force in developing young cricket talent in the area.
Steve Horrocks, Club chairman says "Our original plans to move were driven by the fact the club was in debt and losing money, however, with improved management processes, and a club that is revitalising as we develop our emerging juniors, we are beginning to turn our fortunes around. The move, while a short term solution to our problems wasn't the best option for our long term survival, we want to develop our membership and social activities to raise money and seek funding to give our community a facility to be proud of and bring County cricket back to Macclesfield .
Local Councillor, Ainsley Arnold, welcomes the decision and has pledged his support to the club's plans to improve the ground: "I, and my fellow ward councillors, welcome the news that the cricket club is to remain at its Victoria Road site. We have always stated that the cricket club is an important community and recreational asset for local residents. I, alongside my fellow ward councillors, will give whatever assistance we can to enable the cricket club to remain at the present site in the long term. The club has stated it will engage with the local community to promote itself as both a sporting and social venue, and it is hoped that the local community will support the club in its endeavours. I wish every success to the club in this new chapter of its long history at the Victoria Road site".
Simon Griffiths, Academy Chairman says "The success of our junior development programme is really beginning to pay dividends to the club with more than half the senior section having now come through our Academy. With in excess of 120 players between 6 and 16 currently in the Academy, the future is looking much brighter for the club and our four senior teams are doing well in their respective leagues .
In welcoming the commitment to developing the facilities at Victoria Road, Les Foster, Bowling Club President, noted that the Club supported eight, very successful, bowls teams in local leagues but also emphasised the special contribution that bowling makes to older local residents for social contacts.
In an initial effort to support the community the Club has come to an agreement with the Air Ambulance to allow them use of the Ground for Emergency Landings.
