Strathmore Cricket Union: the first 90 years a history 1928-2018

221 CHAPTER THIRTEEN FINANCE AND SPONSORS As the crowds attending Three and Two County Cup Finals diminished in the early 1970’s, so an important stream of income for the Union dwindled almost to nothing. The expenses the Union faced continued, however and it became difficult to raise sufficient funds from the membership subscriptions to meet the financial obligations which running the leagues and taking part in Representative matches imposed. By the time of the 1974 AGM, the Union’s funds in hand had fallen to under £50 and since the ball order of some £1,100 had to be paid before delivery in March and it was not unknown for clubs still to be outstanding with their ball payments until June, drastic measures were called for. The Treasurer was authorised to add a 5% surcharge to the invoices of clubs who hadn’t paid and this provided an impetus to the defaulters. The great Financial Crisis prompted the Management Committee to seek new ways of restoring the Union’s cash position. Despite it often being said that the Committee ‘could’na run a raffle’, that’s exactly what Gavin McKiddie, seconded by Don Crighton proposed they do at the 1974 AGM. The draw was a success, bringing in over £150 against an expenditure of just £25. The respite was short-lived however. By the 1977 AGM, the bank balance stood at £1.97 overdrawn and only a loan of £450 from Strathmore enabled the ball account of almost £1,500 to be met, even with many clubs paying their ball invoices promptly. Something had to be done and the solution presented itself when an offer of sponsorship was received from a Dundee fashion boutique. At £400 for the season against £250 of prize money paid out, the Union’s finances were going in the right direction for the first time in a long time. Around the same time, two bequests of £250 each were received from the estates of Bob Laing and George Ovenstone and suddenly by the end of the 50th Anniversary year, the Union could report a balance of £738.68 in the bank. The corner had been turned and never again would a Treasurer have to stand before an AGM to report that the cupboard was bare. The era of Sponsorship had arrived and the main companies who financed the Union over then next four decades are described below.