Strathmore Cricket Union Handbook 1999

2 INTRODUCTION 1999 is a year of great change in the Strathmore Union and this handbook, the twenty-first in the series, covers the last year of two-division cricket in the Union and looks forward to the implementation of the new structure. Lindsay Ancell covers the changes elsewhere in the booklet and poses some very pertinent questions about the future of cricket. With this issue, we welcome Huntly to the Union and hope that their association will be a long, happy and successful one. Stoneywood-Dyce return to the fold in the guise of their Second Eleven who will be striving to emulate some of the success of their superiorswho have progressed quickly from Grades to Union to National League Division One. They are an example to all ambitious clubs of what can be achieved from relatively humble resources if you have the drive and enthusiasm to make things happen. For the Union to flourish, we need the support of all the clubs and players and, in this day and age, the sponsors and advertisers who underpin our cricket. Thanks are especially due toDukes for their continued sponsorship of the Leagues; to Samuel Bruce whose sponsorship of the Three and Two Counties Cups over the last three years was especially welcome; to 3-D Sports who are sponsoring the new League Cup competitions and to all the handbook advertisers whose generous support allows us to produce this comprehensive publication. Thanks are due to Ian Potts and GavinMcKiddie for providing photographs and historical data but special tribute must be paid to Ian Chisholm who continues to work tremendously hard on behalf of us all to produce all the current statistical information found in these pages. I don't believe that Ian receives anything like sufficient credit for all his work and I hope that players will make a point of thanking Ian in person when they meet him during the season. After featuringMeigle heavily last year, they pulled off amagnificent 'Double', a feat matched by Montrose in Division Two. It shows what can happen when you believe in yourself. Let's have a great season!