Just a little update with winter goings on at the club.
After an excellent season in 2018 much is changing going forward. Former professional Kamran Mansoor has moved onto pastures new as he has signed a deal to play for Warkworth in for the 2019 season. We would like to thank Kamran for an excellent four seasons in which he amassed 2933 league runs at an average of just under 45 and 91 wickets at an average of 18. We witnessed some spectacular performances during his time at the club and would like to wish him all the best with his future endeavours. Also leaving the club will be Hassan Raza who is retiring from the game and Sadiq Amin with his intentions as yet unknown. We wish them both all the best after their contributions during the season.
Onto more positive playing news! Stuart Graham will be remaining with the club for the 2019 season after an excellent return to Blackfyne in 2018. Joining him as our new professional is Callan McCabe. Callan joins up with his brother Aron in our 1st X1 and follows in the footsteps of his father Dominic as being named club professional. We're sure his all round ability will be a great fit into the team and he will be a great fit with the lads who are already there.
In a change of leadership for the 1st X1, Stuart Graham takes over from Gary Hunter who will be concentrating more on the running of the all stars hoping to carry on the excellent work he did this year. The vice-captaincy is also changing hands as Andy Stokoe takes over the reigns from Robbie Winn. We wish the pair all the best in their new roles. Ste Turnbull will be continuing as 2nd X1 captain, with Daniel Pyke set to continue as vice-captain unless he takes up a role in the 1st X1. Ian Atkinson will continue as Academcials captain with Mark Roe and Stephen Horn as his deputies.
The 3rd X1 face an uncertain future after a number of games were played short of numbers as well as games conceded. Long standing captain Ian Cox has stood down and as yet no replacement has come forward so we may just be fielding the one Sunday team for 2019.
Off the field we continue to work hard to make the most of our bar as we are looking to book in as many social events as possible with several external bookings being taken now that the club has been granted its full pub licence as well as some of the usual club functions taking place like the Christmas Party and a winter ladies day.
Plans are well underway for the construction of our outdoor net facility which will be built from the funds received from the Tesco bags of help scheme, a grant from HSBC and money raised from the bar in the club. This will be finished for the start of the 2020 season and accessible to all at all times making practice much easier for seniors at any convenient time and meaning juniors can have access when senior games are taking place and have a safe environment to do so.
News of winter training and further social events as well as any other new signings will be posted in due course on our social media outlets. As ever we look forward to seeing you all over the winter at some point and hope that you will all support the club as best you can!