CELEBRATIONS at one Tameside cricket club may barely have stopped after treble triumph – but it is already looking forward.
Ashton CC has enjoyed its most successful campaign since 1940, capturing the Greater Manchester Cricket League Division Three title to add to the T20 and John Barrow Trophies won earlier in the season.
However, thoughts are already turning to the future, with its 150 years at Rayner Lane marked on Saturday, September 14 with the formal opening of the next phase of its developing facilities by Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton and Deputy Prime Minister.
Chairman Stan Adshead explained: “The club had effectively been in the doldrums for a number of years and had found the transition from the Central Lancashire League into the GMCL in 2018 hard to bridge.
“Our fortunes on the field were at an all-time low – the number of volunteers was falling and we were faced with the significant costs of maintaining premises and grounds which were only used during the summer months.
“It became clear that the club needed a complete change of direction if it was to survive.”
That change of direction has paid off, both on and off the pitch, with renovations of existing facilities and the addition of new ones.
And the aim of becoming a bigger part of the community is being realised.
Stan added: “We wanted to make use of our facilities and extend them to wider community use throughout the year but knew that this would require significant resourcing.
“The club has never been rich, but a lot of research pointed to the availability of grant support and we explored that thoroughly.
“It has enabled us to re-roof the clubhouse, complete a full internal renovation, create a new pavilion for the bowls section and install a three-lane net practice facility.
“In front of the clubhouse was a terraced area, dating back to the days when large crowds watched league cricket.
“It was in poor condition, and totally unsuitable for users of our premises. With the help of the Valencia Community Funds, we have been able to create a patio area for use not only on match days but for the variety of functions that we are now hosting.
“It incorporates a number of green features – a living wall and the potential for recycling of rainwater – which were attractive to Valencia.”
Ashton CC wanted to mark its 150th anniversary at Rayner Lane with a project of lasting benefit.
This definitely fits the bill.
Stan told The Correspondent: “Marking the anniversary was important and we were thrilled that our local MP, Angela Rayner, found time in her busy schedule to cut the ribbon and formally open the area.
“We were grateful both to her, and a number of other community organisations in the area for their support in helping the club to move forward in this way.
“From where we were only four years ago, we have made enormous strides.
“The committee regards itself as the protector of the legacy that that has been left to us but equally importantly as a crucial part in ensuring that those who follow can benefit from the facilities.”
Surely, the bottom picture should be the prominent one? After all, it was they wot did the business.