Cricket club is on the up

GARRY CROSSLEY: Back in the fold at Oldham.

AMATEUR CRICKET: THE feelgood factor has finally returned to Oldham Cricket Club.

After years of financial turmoil, the Pollards outfit will start the 2010 Lake Garage CLL season on an even keel and with high hopes of success on the pitch.

Members have dug deep to pay off a substantial brewery debt, leaving the cricket club - which falls under the umbrella of the Oldham Sports and Community Club - able to move forward with confidence and anticipation.

Cricket club chairman Mel Whittle said: “We are debt-free and in all my years of being associated with this club, I can never remember it being in this position.”

Oldham’s current situation is in stark contrast to a year ago when, riddled with financial worries and short of first-team players, the club seriously considered pulling out of the CLL.

A last-minute meeting of players resolved to continue despite the inevitability of struggles on the pitch, and that never-say-die spirit is about to reap its rewards.

In the space of 10 months and, in keeping with the new mood of optimism at the Pollards, Oldham have made a couple of significant additions to the playing staff.

Mohammad Hanif, a 24-year-old left-hand batsman and slow left-arm bowler, has been signed as professional.

Hanif, whose English status means Oldham will not face the hassle of applying for a professional’s work permit, has played for Harrogate in the competitive Yorkshire League, taking 67 wickets in 2008 and 50 in 2009.

And Oldham have complemented his signing by acquiring the services of South African Keelan Gossayn as their overseas amateur for 2010.

The 18-year-old, from the academy of former Pollards professional Mark Charlton, is a top-order batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler.

Also on his way back to Oldham following many years away from the club is middle-order batsman Gary Crossley.

The 55-year-old won the Saddleworth League 2nd X1 batting averages at Uppermill last season and has played alongside Whittle for Lancashire over-50s.

Chris McDonnell will continue to captain Oldham’s first team, with opening batsman Paul Thompson as his deputy.

Outdoor nets will begin at the Pollards shortly before the start of the season in mid-April, but for now there are indoor practice sessions each Tuesday night at Failsworth Sports Centre.

Oldham’s juniors, from under-11 to under-18 level, are in action from 7pm to 8pm, while the senior players take their turn from 8pm until 9pm.

Any youngsters looking to join Oldham at under-11, 13, 15 or 18 level, can obtain more details by ringing John Kenyon on 0778 6100155.

Meanwhile, the club has also launched a poster campaign in schools in the hope of attracting youngsters to the Pollards.

Off the field, Oldham are taking huge steps to improve facilities at their Broadbent Road ground.

This includes the refurbishment and reopening of the members’ bar next to the modernised concert room and a facelift for the Pollards Suite.

Students at Oldham College will provide free labour for the former project, while materials will be paid for by the cricket club.

Elsewhere at the Pollards, work has been going on to improve the surrounds thanks to the Groundwork Trust.

Offenders given community service by the courts have been busy and one of their tasks has been the updating and re-opening of the steel gate at the Derker Estate side of the ground.

This second point of entry on match days will provide significantly-easier access for spectators and Oldham are hoping it will lead to better attendances and, consequently, increased membership.