Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2013

41 Sheffield Cricket Lovers’ Society This is all very well, but two key events happened during the last few years which threw rather large spanners in the works; firstly the Pakistan v Australia Test Match, and secondly the recession. The Club lost nearly £2m in 2010 as a result of the lack of interest in the Pakistan v Australia match, in a year where a surplus was budgeted and required. This meant that the Club had to take drastic action selling some commercial rights for an upfront lump sum, and working with our incredibly supportive partners (Leeds City Council and HSBC) to secure a two year loan repayment holiday on capital repayments. The recession has also hit the business with disposable incomes being squeezed and corporates being less willing (or less able) to purchase hospitality packages. Purchasing habits have also changed, with people purchasing later, therefore changing the cash flow profile of the income streams - higher peaks and deeper troughs. Couple this will increased costs of player salaries, utilities, catering, and taxes, and one can appreciate the number of plates that the FD has to keep spinning. The world is a much different place to what it was when the staging agreement was signed, and contrary to one of the fundamental principles of economic theory, all things do not remain equal. The Club has had to be innovative in its response to these events, with the launch of Club Yorkshire (an entry level affiliation, sitting below membership and intended to broaden active interest in the Club), a streamlining of membership options, a wider range of hospitality packages being offered (some inclusive of rain insurance), early bird discounts, and statutory applications being submitted for outdoor concerts. Resting on our laurels is simply not an option, and the Club is looking to offer better value, and be more customer focused in order to increase revenue in these tough economic times. I would call on all of our members to support the Club during our 150 th year and beyond, and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the 8 th January 2013 at the Crucible Theatre to get the ball rolling for the 150 th anniversary celebrations back where it all began. www.yorkshireccc.com