West Chilt CC looking to build on fine season

The club saw both their 2nds and 3rds promoted into higher leagues after last week’s final round of matches, while the success continued with the 1sts XI securing a highest ever finish in the Invitation League’s top flight.

Announcing the news chairman Neil Miller said: “I am pleased to announce that the last piece in our funding jigsaw, namely a grant from Sport England for £50,000, was given the go ahead this week. We are now ready to commence building the new facility and discussions are currently ongoing with our contractor to agree a start date and schedule of works.

“Assuming the weather stays fine during the winter, it is our expectation that building will commence towards the end of October and be finished in time for the new (cricket) season in April 2014. Whilst we have received a number of grants from Sport England, the ECB and Viridor to name a few, in order to meet the full build cost, we have also taken out an interest free loan with the ECB. This is only made available to ECB Focus Clubs and the full amount of the loan (£50,000) will need to be paid back over a seven-year period. This means the club will need to raise significant funds over the next few years in addition to its normal fund raising activities.

And speaking about the season just gone vice chairman Stephen Hodgson added: “With so many colts and adults games, it’s been very hard for us to draw breath till now. Where do I start? More colts and adult debuts than ever before. Under-16 Jack Elliott-Monday scored an unbeaten 153 in an SJCF game. Our fantastic track again prepared superbly by our eloquent groundsman, Jim Gee, drew many favourable comments form opposition sides.

“Two more league promotions and our highest ever finish in West Sussex Invitation League Division One. I would also like to add how pleased I was for the Carter boys who both starred in our last league weekend. They never complain no matter which side they are picked for and are a model for our colts and many of our adults!

“Many thanks also to Martin Glover and his team of coaches (from both Sussex and qualified parents) for again masterminding the colts’ sessions. Sussex CCC came and re-accredited us with our Clubmark which was definitely the most important day for us this year and shows where our real focus lies.”

Chilt still has a September cricket programme to complete. Following last weekend’s friendly win over old rivals St Andrews, the club will play Lingfield and Ditchling this weekend before concluding with two Sunday games at Tillington and Warnham.