Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2015

10 twitter: @scloverssociety Sheffield Cricket Lovers’ Society Club’s retail offering will continue to evolve and that more and more supporters will be able to show their support of this great Club through a connection via retail even if they find it prohibitive watching the team on a regular basis because of geographical challenges. As we now look to the start of the new season, Headingley in its 125th anniversary year will see a significant change to the local landscape and enhance its reputation as a venue of choice for cricket for the long-term. When members and supporters return to the Club’s headquarters in April, they will notice four permanent floodlight pylons. Lights will be installed in March and we are aiming to play six of our seven home NatWest T20 Blast matches in the evening. The advent of permanent lights will afford even more supporters around the county the opportunity to watch Yorkshire Vikings with start times for T20 Blast matches moving from 5.30pm to 7.00pm starts, which, in turn, enables people to finish what they’re doing on a Friday and get to Headingley after the Friday night traffic congestion has dissipated. Matches under lights will give T20 crowds a shot in the arm, so vital now for all county clubs. Significantly, it will enable people from all over the county to have the time to come and see us – particularly those who are cricketers themselves. We know that over 100,000 people are playing cricket every weekend in Yorkshire and that, by and large, they don’t get much opportunity to see Yorkshire play. This is a chance for them to be able to get to Headingley at a more convenient time and for us to improve the size of our crowds. We’ve got a much better appointment-to-view now. People need to know when the matches are on, and the floodlights will help create a terrific atmosphere on Fridays at Headingley. “The lights will make a big difference and, of course, help us in terms of international cricket. It will also bring an extra dimension to box- office contests such as the annual T20 home match against Lancashire, which will be further spiced next year by the availability of England players for the match on Friday June 5. None of it would be possible without the floodlights, which will transform the aspect of Headingley forever. If 2014 was a year to remember in the modern history of Yorkshire cricket, there is so much to feast over. Defending our title will be paramount, but equally as important is challenging on all fronts in limited-overs cricket. Like many of you, I’m already wishing the season to start. See you in the summer! y Da nn Re ub en w it h Joe Ro ot