A message from the Chair ahead of the 2025 season
On the eve of the 2025 cricket season, Chair of the Board of West of Scotland Cricket Club, Colin Mair, shares his thoughts.
Following the very sad recent passing of long-serving Club member, Director and Honorary Vice President, John Cameron, I would like to begin by thanking everyone who visited Cammy in hospital or at St Margaret’s Hospice, and all who attended last Friday’s Funeral Service and/or the reception at West afterwards. It was marvellous to see so many current and past members/players and so many representatives from other clubs, a great tribute to a true West stalwart.
I would also like to thank Lorraine and Lynn for all they have done to keep the bar and pavilion running smoothly, liaising regularly with treasurer Wilson, and to all the bar and catering staff for their major efforts last Friday. We were very pleased that his son, David, felt his father had had a very fitting sendoff.
Saturday 3rd May sees the beginning of the 2025 season and I know our senior players are all eager to get started and Andy Carswell has Hamilton Crescent looking impressive and ready for league cricket. All fixtures are on our website with physical fixtures cards available from behind the bar.
Our aims are simple – for the Women’s XI to recapture their T20 Cup form of last season and again make a mark as one of the strongest National League teams and for all our senior teams to play winning cricket. I know the West of Scotland XI are intent on gaining immediate promotion to Premiership One, the Partick XI looking to repeat their winning Championship One achievement and press their case for elevation to Premiership level, and the Hamilton Crescent XI again aiming to prove more than capable of competing in Championship Two. The Sunday XI will again provide opportunities for adults and juniors alike against a variety of opposition.
The Board and Playing Committee are delighted to have announced the signing of overseas Zimbabwean professional, Larvet Masunda for the season ahead. Larvet will form part of a strong coaching team led by Club Coach Moneeb Iqbal, Women’s Coach Dave McNulty and Junior Coach Chris Ross, all focussed on supporting the development of players across the Club We also welcome the return of Scotland A player, John Oliver, after last season’s significant injury.
The absence of regular income since the damaging flood of January 2021 has undoubtedly had an adverse effect throughout the ensuing three and a half years. However, the Board has been delighted that the Club is again able to host functions, and we aim to generate income this year through various means, including match sponsorship and ground advertisement, Club events and functions, our 2025 Summer Prize Draw and, of course, bar income.
We are particularly indebted to John and James Fennah, who along with Andy Dickson have undertaken considerable electrical upgrading over the winter, and to Stuart Wilson for his generosity in providing manpower and materials for the redecoration of the function areas, dressing rooms and Gents toilets.
Having all but reached our Phase One fundraising target by the time that external project was completed last June, albeit there is still an interest free loan of £25,000 to be repaid, we need to trade successfully and boost Club income in the foreseeable future. Part of the Board’s current agenda is to look ahead to Phases Two (upstairs) and Three (downstairs) inside the Pavilion as well as the Indoor School. We continue to liaise with our architect and others with expertise and consider our future fundraising aims. As plans evolve, we shall of course update members - but our current major priority is to aim for a successful 2025-26 financial year.
How can you help? Well, quite simply, we would ask all members to make full use of Club facilities this summer – by enjoying a refreshment while watching cricket, bringing friends with you to the ground and Club events, encouraging others to join as players or Social Members and, vitally important, selling the Summer Prize Draw tickets.
The latter is a straightforward way to spread support for West - and we have all season to sell tickets prior to the Draw on 30th August. If I mention that former Club sponsor, Douglas McCrea, has already sold well over 100 books of Prize Draw tickets, that should prompt some action from the rest of us! For tickets, email westofscotlandcc@gmail.com or contact Robert Corner - the top prize is £500!
Of course, if members know of any businesses and firms which might be willing to consider sponsorship or advertising at West, please pass on their contact details to Robert Corner.
While I myself have been absent from West for some weeks while recovering from recent unexpected knee surgery, I shall look forward to enjoying the company of members and friends regularly throughout the coming months. Having had to support West through adversity in recent times, let us all, players and non-players, help to make this a very successful season in all respects.
Colin Mair
Chair of the Board
West of Scotland Cricket Club
