Fears for Friarmere

STRUGGLE . . . Friarmere Cricket Club faces an uncertain future.

CRICKET:

Frairmere CC secretary Craig Ramadhin fears his club won’t make its landmark 150th year.

Although the celebration is only 12 months away, there are deep concerns that one of the founder members of the Saddleworth and District League is coming to the end of its innings.

When the club’s second XI was unable to raise a team, the Friarmere committee acted by calling an emergency meeting which rallied support.

But Ramadhin says more is needed to secure the club’s future” He said: “We’ve got 50 or so players registered, and they are expected to turn up and play when selected.

“On several occasions they haven’t bothered coming. They have found other things to do.

“We need commitment from players in the way of giving something back to the club, by helping at the ground or joining the committee.

“There is also bit of animosity from some playing staff towards certain other players, and this meeting was an opportunity to air grievences and get things out in the open.”

Ramadhin’s connections with Friarmere go back more than 40 years. His father, famous West Indian Test cricketer Sonny, opened the pavilion at Slack Lane in 1994, and regularly attends matches.

Ramadhin admits that Friarmere’s location — a mile between Delph and Denshaw — hinders attempts to attract local talent.

Ramadhin added: “These are also very difficult times financially. Our income is from a few donations and subscriptions, really.

“For us to continue we need to become a club again.

Ramadhin praised the efforts of treasurer and former player Gary Kershaw in trying to keep the club going.

“If it wasn’t for Gary, the club would have folded three or four years ago,” said Ramadhin.

Friarmere’s record in the Saddleworth League of 14 championships is matched only by Delph, now of the Huddersfield League. A 15th title may be a pipedream, but that dream would die altogether if the club dies.