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March 2006
Dear Member,
Welcome to the New Season!
 A warm welcome to you all, be you a senior player, a colt, or a social member. And a particular welcome to our new members for the coming season.
It seems a bit early to be writing a pre-season letter, especially as it's still freezing cold outside. But with Easter falling in mid-April, and the season getting underway at the same time, suddenly it's time to exhume the kit from whence it's reposed since last September and check for signs of mildew.
The usual pre-season gathering will take place on Sunday, 9 April from 12.30 onwards. The bar will be open throughout the afternoon and a free buffet will be provided. Bring your cheque book because you will be expected to pay your subs at that time in order to receive a fixture card and car park sticker.
There will also be examples of our new range of kit for sale at Fentons at attractive prices (don't forget the rule that only Brentwood caps and sweaters may be worn on the field in the senior sides (unless you've represented your country - you could be a bit chilly early season when Richard or Boony makes you consign your Old Buggeronians sweater to the dark reaches of your bag.)
Outdoor nets will be held on Thursdays for the 1st team squad and Tuesdays for the rest of the senior membership, from 18.00 as last year, commencing next week, 28 March (weather permitting). Colts nets will be on Fridays for all age groups.
Attached to this letter is a registration form that every individual must complete before he can be classed as a member. Most of our new members have already completed one, and for the rest of you - please complete it (it's not onerous) and return it to Malcolm Webb. If you have received this letter via email you can email the form back to Malcolm (malcolmwebb@talk21.com) - it doesn't matter that it won't be signed. Otherwise give it to him on 9 April. If you won't be at the pre-season gathering, please post it to him at 156a Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton CM13 2HE. This is not us being pedantic - it is already a requirement of the local licensing authorities, and is shortly to be a legal requirement of the Government and applicable to all sports clubs.
(Note from web site administrator. A soft-copy version of the form in Microsoft Word format can be downloaded by clicking on the Word logo. Complete the form and return to Malcolm Webb using the instructions above  ).
Aims and Expectations
We all know that the Club is riding high at the moment. Last year we achieved our major ambition of seeing the 1st XI promoted to the Premier Division. With the 3rd XI finishing runners-up in their Premier Division and the 4th XI winning theirs, the season was overall very successful. This year we want the 1st XI to consolidate their position in the top flight, the 2nds to win promotion back into their Premiership, and the 3rds and 4ths to maintain their high standards of achievement. It's never easy, but we have acquired a few new members who we believe can help us achieve those aims; we still have the nucleus of last year's squad, and the younger members will be a year older and stronger and hopefully knocking even harder on the door.
It does mean, of course, that competition for places will be fierce. That's no bad thing if it helps put an edge on people's performances, and if anyone finds himself playing in a side lower than perhaps he has done for a few years, then I hope he will knuckle down and try to win back his place, but give the utmost support to his new captain in the meantime, which is exactly what happened last year. And we shall continue to develop our colts and give them every encouragement to work their way up the Club sides. It is our stated policy that we will not impede their progress, and if they are good enough for selection they will get it. The fact that you might have been in a particular side for the past decade doesn't necessarily give you security of tenure!
Sunday cricket will once again be played under the banner of the Victorians, who have a full and interesting-looking fixture list, and I hope you will support these matches and make them enjoyable family occasions. On those dates when the Vics are away and there is no home Colts match scheduled we shall endeavour to run a Sunday Club XI.
Facilities
As I write this, the OCG is looking in good shape. It is a fantastic asset to the Club, and I am pleased to say that we are well on the way to completing the repayments of the £45,000 part of the overall cost of the freehold purchase. But we could still do with more money towards that target. As last year, we are prepared to offer Life Playing Membership to anyone who donates £1,000 now, or alternatively subscription-free membership until 2009 if you care to donate £500 now. With subs currently at £120 and rising, either offer looks like a good deal to me.
Social Events
I've already mentioned the pre-season get-together, and as usual we have a series of social events at roughly monthly intervals throughout the season. Exact details and dates are shown in the fixture card and on the website. Last year's events were particularly good - and usually well-supported - and Paul Webb is running this side of things again this season. Please continue to support both him and the events so that we can raise enough money to be able to maintain the quality of the Club and its facilities, bearing in mind that we still have to find a lot of money from within our own ranks in order to pay for the ground. We are, incidentally, open to enquiries for the hire of our ground and facilities from time to time during the season, so if your firm or an organisation to which you belong want to take advantage of this, please speak to Paul.
Last year was a good one. We have the ability to make this season just as good. Let us aim to be the envy of all the other local clubs by the quality of our cricket on the field, our administrative excellence off it, and our collective ability to support the bar until it closes and drink anybody else under the table!
Good luck for a happy and successful season.
Ken Lingwood
Chairman
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