SUSSEX County Cricket club are the oldest of the first class cricketing counties.
Yet, they were arguably the biggest under achievers!
For more then one hundred and fifty years Sussex boasted many great players. Yet never won the county championship. John Snow, one of England’s greatest fast bowlers and other players were critical about the way in which the club was run. Indeed, he referred to certain people as ‘the Gin and Tonic’ brigade. These men ran the club almost as a hobby.
The county side lost many great players to other counties. In 1993 Sussex lost the NatWest trophy final to Warwickshire. Shortly afterwards several players were out of contract and left for pastures new. It subsequently emerged that more than half of the first team were out of contract. A situation that should never have arisen!
A former player, Tony Piggott, led a successful coup. A new committee was elected and a new structure created. In 2003 Sussex won their first county championship. Two more followed in quick succession.
The development at the Hove county ground is necessary. The new facilities at the ground will mean that the club can maximise its income throughout the year. The club has to move forward and function as a twenty first century professional team.
In the 1990s Brighton and Hove Albion were within half an hour of dropping out of the football league and possible extinction.
A subsequent takeover and the construction of the AMEX stadium led the Seagulls to a new level.
Sussex needs successful sports teams and the economic benefits they provide.
Richard J. Szypulski
Lavender Street
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