INTRODUCTION
What an absolute privilege it is to stand here in front of you on the back of what has been one of the most successful seasons in the Club’s 124-year existence.

As I reflect on my 10 years as Chairman of Upton Cricket Club, I took the opportunity to draw parallels with the tenure of Alfred Wildgoose, who also served 10 years as Chairman. As I reflect on those past years, I can't help but contemplate what life must have been like during his leadership. While several aspects bear resemblance, some elements have changed considerably since his era.

Consider, for example, the first transatlantic telephone call. In Wildgoose’s time, this represented a monumental achievement; today, however, we take for granted the ease with which we can communicate with the UCC family across the globe. Similarly, the advent of colour television, which marked a revolutionary shift in broadcasting, has now paved the way for the capability to stream our cricket matches live to viewers across the world.

Moreover, let us not forget the significant global economic crisis of the Great Depression, a stark reminder of challenges that remain to this day and we continually strive to support our members in whatever ways we can.

In the realm of cricket, both Wildgoose and I embarked on our respective journeys with the objective of excelling. One went on to amass over 1,000 wickets for the club, while the other stands before you tonight!

I am certain that during Wildgoose’s time and throughout his committee's efforts, their goal was to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. This aspiration continues to resonate with your current committee. Our collective intent remains consistent: if we, along with all future committees, leave the club in a healthier state than we found it, we are indeed MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

Every year, I remind us of the foundational principles that govern our club:

Maintaining a sound financial footing
Ensuring the provision of right opportunities for our members to enjoy their cricket
Balancing focus on present needs while keeping an eye towards long-term sustainability

As your Governing Committee, we are accountable to you, the members, and our Trustees to ensure adherence to these principles. Should you ever feel that we stray from our core values, or if you have any general concerns, I encourage you to provide your feedback. While we strive for excellence, we are, after all, volunteers dedicated to a club we love, and your insights enable us to improve continually.

Last year, I spoke about optimism, hope, and a steadfast determination to accept nothing less than the best. With the backdrop of our remarkable season successes, I find myself wondering how I can possibly surpass the narrative of achievement.

However, I will state unequivocally that the successes of 2024 were no mere coincidence. They are the fruits of extensive planning, unwavering dedication, and hard work; a testament to the commitment of our incredible volunteers who ensure this Club thrives. My heartfelt thanks extend to everyone who serves in an official capacity as well as to those who graciously dedicate their time, no matter how small, for Upton Cricket Club. You epitomise what makes our club truly outstanding, and for that, I am exceedingly grateful.

As in previous years, this report will follow the structure reflecting each area of our Club in turn.

SENIOR CRICKET
I shall begin this section by recalling what I shared with you 12 months ago:

“… success doesn’t just happen; we won’t just win because we have to good players. The hard work has already started with lots of preparatory work going on already behind the scenes. I don’t think I’ve ever known an early off-season like it …

Come mid-April I have no doubt that we will be the best prepared side in the division, but as I’ve just said, that doesn’t just happen.”

The easiest course of action would be to ride this wave of success and hope that momentum will propel us into 2025. Upon observing our group of senior players, I do not see many amongst them who resemble the prowess of Kelly Slater - perhaps a reference that eludes some, as he is a champion surfer with a record of eleven World Surf League titles. Therefore, it’s essential that we revert to the principles of last year, wherein we prepare more thoroughly than ever before and demonstrate utmost commitment, ensuring we are at our best.

While the focus remains decidedly on 2025, it would be remiss of me not to momentarily reflect on the exceptional performance in 2024:

1st XI League champions
2nd XI League champions
3rd XI League champions
4th XI promoted
Ladies XI runners up
CCCL Most Improved Club

The achievements outlined above are reflective of success that permeates throughout our club; these triumphs signify a collective effort across all teams and their respective captains. My sincere gratitude extends to all our captains: Matt, Rich, Ian, Phil, and Ellen. Your unwavering efforts are profoundly appreciated, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing what we can collectively achieve in 2025.

The successes of Upton Cricket Club are further illustrated through the outstanding performances of key individuals, such as Darren Warburton, Rich Battersby, and Sophie Morris. Darren has made his mark on the minor counties circuit, delivering notable performances for Cheshire Over 50s, while Rich has had the distinguished honour of captaining England in the recent indoor cricket World Masters Series in Sri Lanka. Sophie, on the other hand, has signed a professional contract with Lancashire. Our club beams with pride at these accomplishments, which are a tribute to the individuals involved as well as to the club itself.

Looking ahead to 2025, a few subtle yet impactful changes are taking shape that collectively bolster our position and contribute to the identity of our club. Dave Smith and his Cricket Committee have been working tirelessly and my sincerest thanks go out for all their hard work and dedication to the cause.

Firstly, we have added considerable strength to the squad with the addition of Luke Camden. To be able to attract a player of Luke’s calibre to Old Greasby Road signifies where we are as a club, and more importantly where we are heading.

We are entering into a new partnership regarding our club kit with ICON Sports. An extensive amount of time has been devoted to ensuring we partner with a reputable brand over the coming three years. To reach this position, we conducted a thorough market review and initiated a tendering process, accommodating the significant factors essential to our club’s image and values, thus ensuring we are delivering the best possible experience to our members. Only last week, we visited ICON’s factory and showroom and emerged with renewed conviction that we have chosen the right partner. While we may lag slightly behind our intended launch timeline (initially hoping to unveil our new range in time for Christmas), this delay arose due to an influx of sponsors, allowing us to maximise financial opportunities for the club. When our club web shop launches, we will present our members with a range of products that we can all take pride in.

In addition, we will be introducing ‘milestone caps’ to recognise loyal members who have achieved the significant milestone of playing 250 or 500 league games for the club. This initiative is not exclusive to the current player base; it encompasses the acknowledgement of former players as well. A Past Players Lunch is scheduled for 2025, where caps will be presented, honouring the commitment demonstrated by players throughout the club’s history.

To conclude this section, my resolute message to our senior players is that we have established the benchmark for excellence. Let us maintain the standards we have set and collectively MAKE A DIFFERENCE in all that we do.

JUNIOR CRICKET
When discussing success within the realm of junior cricket, we have previously referenced our achievements in terms of the sheer number of juniors involved and in attendance at our training sessions on Mondays and Fridays. In recent years, however, we have recognised the need to expand our definition of success to encompass not only the numbers but the cultivation of quality players.

To support this ambitious objective, we have several initiatives running, but as previously stated, we may not witness immediate results, and it will take years for these changes to bear fruit.

Encouragingly, we are beginning to see the first signs of progress. It was a source of great joy to witness the Under 11s triumphing in the Wirral League - a commendable feat as it marks our first junior title since 2019. This victory hopefully serves as a springboard toward future achievements.

As highlighted previously, our junior players greatly benefit from the wisdom and experience imparted by senior players, and it was great to see several senior members volunteering their time on Friday evenings to assist with training. I urge others to get involved where feasible, as your participation will help shape the club’s future.

My heartfelt thanks are extended to everyone involved, particularly Madeliene Ward, her coaches, and our dedicated volunteers, who readily contribute their time to foster a safe, friendly, and enriching environment for our junior members to thrive. Your collective efforts truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

HOUSE & GROUNDS
In line with previous reports, I shall combine the House and Grounds sections, recognising the inherent overlap between the two, and begin by expressing appreciation to all those who generously devote their time to ensuring our facilities remain outstanding under the exceptional guidance of Ken Barrett and Ian Bruce. Their tireless work stands as an impressive benchmark for clubs across the region.

Our volunteers are not limited to merely maintaining our grounds and buildings; they play a pivotal role in the continual development of the club as a whole. When we evaluate the accomplishments in this area, they are undeniably impressive:

A new sightscreen installed for the back pitch
Full inspection and necessary remedial works on the pitch drainage
Installation of new flooring in the changing rooms and toilet facilities
Construction of a new awning system
Refurbishment of one lane in the nets
General tidying and professional cleaning of three lanes in the nets
Overhaul of the driveway entrance
Provision of new boundary rope for the back pitch

While this may seem a distant memory now, let me take you back to April when we feared that playing cricket was a long way off. Many clubs had trouble in preparing their pitches, yet our remarkable volunteers rose to the occasion; hand mowers were deployed, and grass was meticulously cut. These dedicated efforts equipped us with a vital edge - while our rivals were settling for six points from abandoned matches, we capitalised and were taking the full twenty points.

It is fair to acknowledge that our objectives have not always been attained without challenges. Although improvements have been made in the nets, we still aspire for perfection in this area. To that end, contractors are scheduled to return in February to implement an upgraded system to ensure that our nets perform optimally. Coupled with additional work to enhance visibility, we are confident that come April, we will possess a facility that supports our aspiration of competing at the highest levels.

So, lots of activity in this area, and to think, this has all been achieved by volunteers who really do MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN EVERYTHING THEY DO.

BAR & SOCIAL
Once again, I shall amalgamate these two areas, but I would like to commence this section by extending my profound gratitude to Ian Sharrock for his phenomenal dedication to managing the bar. When Richie presents the financial accounts shortly, you will realise that this isn’t a quiet little bar; it is a vibrant hub requiring accomplished oversight.

It is crucial to highlight that in 2024, we maintained pricing consistent with 2022. Such a decision evidences our unwavering commitment to delivering value to our members. As we move into the New Year, we will evaluate potential increases from our brewery partner, yet we remain vigilant in our efforts to provide exceptional value wherever possible.

You will observe in the accounts a resurgence in our social events. My utmost thanks are due to everyone involved in orchestrating the events that unfolded in 2024; they have rejuvenated our social calendar and lay the groundwork for further success in 2025.

Looking ahead, we have an array of exciting events in the planning stages, which include:

Cheltenham Gold Cup lunch – Friday, 14 March
Sponsors Lunch – either Saturday, 24 or Saturday, 31 May
Past Players Lunch – either Saturday, 7 or Saturday, 14 June
Race Night – either Saturday, 28 June or Saturday, 5 July
Upton’s Got Talent – either Saturday, 9 or Saturday, 16 August

These dates will be confirmed once the fixtures are outlined in January, but it is assured that each of these event initiatives will MAKE A DIFFERENCE in one way or another.

ADMINISTRATION, FUTURE PLANNING & COMMUNICATIONS
In matters pertaining to club administration, I can assure you that despite not taking a single catch this season, we remain in very capable hands with Rob Chapman at the helm. Numerous unseen efforts occur behind the scenes, ensuring the seamless operation of the club.

Rob’s responsibilities extend beyond administration; they also encompass managing the calendar for external hiring of the Club facilities. To grasp the scope of his workload, consider the following:

52 morning sessions for Slimming World
52 evening sessions for the Wirral Table Tennis League
20 afternoon sessions catering to a group supporting individuals with Parkinson’s disease through playing table tennis
34 individual bookings for either the tearoom or clubhouse

We’re also just about to take on a regular booking from RugbyTots who’ll be using the room on Saturday mornings during term time (which equates to 39 Saturdays).

On top of that, Rob has had to decline an additional 15 requests for bookings, underscoring the busy and complex nature of his work. I am indebted to the help & support Rob provides me and the wider committee which contributes to the smooth running of Upton Cricket Club.

When it comes to external visibility, our Communications Officer, Phil McGowan, has exceeded expectations by ensuring that Upton CC not only keeps its members informed but also sets a benchmark for others to emulate. We have gained a reputation for possessing one of the most engaging social media platforms, both locally and across the UK.

Last year, I recounted how we enlisted the assistance of an organisation to negotiate with Leverhulme on our behalf. These matters are seldom straightforward, yet discussions to date have been encouraging. I remain hopeful that we will soon provide an update that outlines tangible developments, securing what is best for our club and ultimately MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

FINANCE
I will leave Richie to elaborate on the accounts shortly, but I want to highlight that the forthcoming financial overview represents not only good governance but also a committee dedicated to investing in the enhancement of your club.

Reflecting on our earlier discussions, significant investments have been made, which include:

The net refurbishment program
Improvements to back pitch facilities (sightscreen and boundary rope)
Construction of a spectator awning
Upgrades on the pitch drainage system

Such investments require prudent financial management over multiple years, and we are fortunate to have Richie overseeing this area. Thank you, Richie.

To ensure that we can sustain future projects aimed at our ongoing development, it is imperative that we increase revenue streams. We have benefitted immensely from various initiatives, including securing sponsorship for our new T20 shirts, attracting eight sponsors for our main playing shirts, and advertising opportunities associated with our live streaming platform.

Both the income generated and the projects financed through these revenues truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE to all our endeavours.

COMMUNITY
This area consistently brings me immense joy, as the impact of our community involvement is truly remarkable.

The support we receive on match days is unparalleled and the envy of many. It extends beyond merely filling the seats; it enriches existing friendships, forges new bonds, and creates a sense of belonging amongst all involved.

Our efforts do not cease with match days; the additional initiatives we undertake underscore our commitment to MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

The ‘Winter Warmer’ program once again provided a refuge for many in the local area, offering the comfort of warm drinks and food, complemented by the company of others. I am pleased to inform you that this initiative will continue into the new year.

Furthermore, we supported the CCCL’s ‘Pink Weekend’ initiative, raising funds for Prevent Breast Cancer Charity. While our contributions were less than in 2023, we still managed to raise nearly £700 for this important cause. We’ve got our Foodbank initiative running at the moment and we’re hoping to make a sizeable donation next week, and only this week has the Governing Committee agreed to waiver all ‘hire’ fees for the Parkinsons group using the tearoom.

We have also engaged in ad-hoc initiatives, such as our collaboration with ‘Everton in the Community’ focusing on teenage mental health.

This is not merely a cricket club; this is a cricket club that truly MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

CONCLUSION
As I draw my annual report to a conclusion, I must assert that 2024 has been nothing short of phenomenal for Upton Cricket Club, marked by tremendous success on the field, the significance of which cannot be overstated. Nevertheless, this chapter is now inscribed in our club's chronicles, and we embark on a fresh journey.

Throughout this report, you may have noticed a recurrent theme centered on MAKING A DIFFERENCE. I want to leave you with a poignant story that illustrates the profound impact Upton Cricket Club has made.

It concerns a young lad in foster care who, amidst a challenging period, was referred to us by a social worker seeking an outlet through cricket. This young man arrived keen to discover whether he could partake in training. He embraced the opportunity, exuding joy throughout his experiences. After conversing with the social worker a few weeks later, I was met with encouraging words:

“From our initial conversation, you couldn’t have been more helpful – you worked out a plan and quickly put it into place so that this young man could come down and have an initial experience at the club, and in talking to him and his carer after his first visit, it was clear that you had all been on the ball and made this young man feel extremely welcome! He has absolutely loved coming to the club and has talked to me excitedly about it on my last few visits – it has had more significance for him than talking about home and school, so it has clearly had a massive impact on him!

Interestingly, at the time of our first discussion, there were a few low-level things going on for him in terms of school and general behaviour. Since his time at the club, this has really settled down – I spoke to the Assistant Head at school only yesterday and everything is really positive.”

To witness the tangible opportunities we are able to provide fills me with immense joy and pride; it unequivocally confirms that we truly HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

Whatever you do for Upton Cricket Club, I encourage you to consider your contributions thoughtfully, aiming to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in all you do.