143 years, not out. Harrogate Cricket Club lost its clubhouse to fire just over a decade ago and came close to bankruptcy in The Great Depression but coronavirus could have been the end of the club.
Harrogate Cricket Club played its first match at its ground at St George’s Road on July 7, 1877 but could have played its last in 2020 without major financial support.
Local sports often rely on the income generated by renting out clubhouses for events. When The Balcony at Harrogate Cricket Club closed its doors the management did not know when or if it could reopen.
Chairman Steve Clarke with The Balcony manager Andy Hawkswell.
Steve Clarke, the chairman of Harrogate Cricket Club, estimates that The Balcony’s closure over so many months left a black hole in its finances to the tune of £40,000.
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It could have been devastating to the club, which has needed to pay out for the maintenance of the grounds and facilities without any income. But grants from Harrogate Borough Council and the ECB have covered those huge costs.
A spectator boost for the club followed that financial boost last weekend, with around 100 people turning up to watch the games and a few members visiting The Balcony for drinks.
The Balcony is open for business.
Chairman Steve Clarke told The Stray Ferret that they cannot generate income without playing cricket:
“It has been really difficult. It is really interesting for the senior teams. We have to make sure everyone is socially distanced, that the toilets are cleaned regularly and that there are hand sanitiser stations around the club. The league has slimmed down the fixtures and ruled out promotion or relegation so everyone can get out and play.”
The Balcony will be key to the club’s future. Andy Hawkswell has just taken over as the new tenant and plans to give it a refreshed ‘sports bar’ feel. He said:
“There have been a lot of people waiting for us to open. It is good to see. We are making some big changes on the pitch and off it. We are going to be broadening the horizons of what we offer in terms of our food and drink and also by renting out the space we have here for schools and community groups.”
