Adam Saynor watches the ball on to the bat in defence
C Sharp Features

Sitdown with the Skipper – Part 1: Adam Saynor

I am very happy to bring you part one of a four part feature. Our team captain sits down for a chat. They also answer a few questions thrown at them. Firstly, an interview with 1st XI Captain – Adam Saynor.

Q: Adam, the new season is approaching – are you excited? How have you prepared over winter?
AS: Definitely! I think I speak for the whole squad when I say we’re really excited to get going. It’s been a busy winter preparing for the year ahead. Making sure the squad and club are moving in the right direction.

Q: Have you made any key additions to the squad during the off-season?
AS: Yes, we’ve made some really exciting signings. Players who not only add strength on the field but also bring good energy to the dressing room.

Our overseas for the year is Ryan Moffett from Namibia, a Wicket Keeper Batter, who represented his country in the 2024 Cricket World Cup.

Tim Boyd an exciting young South African All Rounder who played in Kendal last season. Ramesh Perera joins from Stockport Trinity, an Off Spinning All Rounder with a lot of experience.

Syed Haider switches from Denton West, a left arm spinner who has represented Norway in the European Cricket League.

There are other players who have joined. Niall Heyes and Pares Malindi are among them. They are ones to keep an eye out for.

Q: What are the team’s main goals and expectations for this season?
AS: We want to be competing at the top end of the table. After two back to back disappointing seasons. We have to show what we as a team are capable of. More importantly, we want to play a consistent brand of cricket that reflects our potential. That means high standards in all departments, strong team unity, and making sure we’re in a position to win games in every game.

Q: How do you handle the pressures of captaincy on and off the field?
AS: For me, it’s about trusting the people around me and not trying to do everything myself. We’ve got a great group of lads who can all be a voice and they all back one another, so I always feel supported. On the field, it’s about staying calm and making clear decisions. Off the field, I just try to lead by example and be approachable to every player.

Q: What have you learned from past seasons that you’ll apply this year?
AS: One of the biggest lessons for me is enjoying it. I’ve been a part of Stretford CC for six seasons and the past two there hasn’t been enough enjoyment of the game of cricket. This year I’m hoping to create that environment where players have a strong bond and belief between themselves. Where they feel proud to be a part of Stretford CC and can be passionate about their cricket.

Q: What style of cricket do you want the team to play this season?
AS: We want to play positive, fearless, and enjoyable cricket, but with control. That means backing our ability with the bat, being aggressive with the ball, and staying sharp in the field. At the same time, we want to be smart and adaptable depending on the situation.

Q: Are there any specific areas you’re looking to improve as a team?
AS: Yes, being honest last season we were poor in all three departments. Didn’t bat the overs given. Didn’t bowl tight enough lines and made too many mistakes in the field.

By going back to basics, focusing on what makes us a strong and difficult side to face. Working on individual goals to improve ourselves and each other. This hopefully gives players a new freedom to play and enjoy the season ahead.

Q: What will your toughest challenges be this season?

AS: Every season throws up its own challenges. Availability, injuries and strong opposition. But I think the biggest one is consistency. Being able to get a regular 11 playing together and performing at our best. Players standing up and showing that today is their day. We’ve shown in the past we can beat anyone on our day, but this year the challenge is to do it week in, week out.

Q: Any message for the club’s supporters ahead of the season?

AS: Thanks for always backing us. Your support really does make a difference. Whether it’s watching from the sidelines, helping out behind the scenes, or watching the livestream on Frogbox. We’re working hard to give you a season to be proud of, and we can’t wait to see you all down at the club!

C Sharp Admin, Junior Cricket

Trafford Council Scraps SCC Rent Subsidy

The 2025 season is almost upon us and there is much to be excited about as the new season approaches.

We have several new additions to the senior cricket section which we hope will propel the 1st team to challenge for promotion, add depth to our squads for the forthcoming season and improve the chance of success across all our senior teams. We have also entered the 4th team into league cricket which gives our juniors a pathway into senior cricket which is part of a wider plan to produce our own players both now and in the future. Aligned to this we have also secured the services of an experienced head coach who will add vital support to the cricket section.

The junior section continues to grow and we will have 6 junior age group teams for the forthcoming season with the addition of the under 18’s team and our first girls team under the Dynamos age group, this will give girls between the ages of 8-11 an excellent introduction to cricket. We are always on the lookout for people to help with the junior teams and we have supported 2 junior parents through coaching courses this winter which they passed with flying colours, so if you wish to get involved let us know and we’ll help you to help us.

Off the field we have removed the old seating and this will be replaced with benches and picnic tables which will complete the look of the spectator areas. Thanks to those who have sponsored the memorial benches.

We will also be offering further food options from the food shack on which more detail will be provided soon.

But unfortunately it’s not all good news as Trafford Council have informed us that our rent subsidy will be removed and starting from the 1st April we will be subject to rent payments as part of our lease. Initially the rent due was £6700 per annum, however after much discussion with the Council and our local MP, the rent will start at £1300 and rise incrementally over a five year period until it reaches £6700 in April 2029, giving the club some time to adapt to these new costs.

Sadly in response to these new costs and increases in costs across the club we have reluctantly decided to increase our bar prices with most alcoholic drinks rising by 50p. We appreciate these are difficult financial times for many but we felt that increasing the bar prices was a better option than significantly raising subs which may then impact peoples ability to be able to afford to pay and subsequently play cricket. We are currently looking for ways to manage our costs with the hope that we can secure funding for more solar panels to reduce our electricity costs further. We are however keeping our membership points scheme for bar purchases so you will still be able to accumulate points and spend them at the bar.

As part of our discussions with the council on the rent we have taken to opportunity to seek a new lease as our current lease only has 9 years remaining. The new agreement will be for 35 years and include provisions for the council to help maintain the lane condition and safety as well as stipulations on how future rent rises are managed. We are awaiting the first draft of this new lease but once agreed it will provide the club with certainty for the future and also aid our quest to rebuild the clubhouse when we come to seek funding.

So as you can see the management team has had a busy winter preparing for the forthcoming season, giving their spare time freely to help manage the club, so I’d like to extend my personal thanks for all their efforts. If anyone wishes to get more involved with the club we would love to hear from you as we are always looking for volunteers. Any amount of help will be gratefully received.

So with a full cricket and social calendar there is much to look forward to, let’s hope we are blessed with an abundance of sunshine!

Your continued support is much appreciated, I’m looking forward to seeing you all throughout the season.

Russ Carson
Club Chair.

C Sharp Social

A Night at the Races – Saturday 25th May 8pm

All members and friends are invited to the club on Saturday 25th May to join in the fun at this gala event!
You’ve got a chance to win cool cash if you are lucky enough to pick a winning horse! The bar will be open and there is food available. The fun begins at 8pm.

There are prizes for owning a winning horse and presents for sponsorship a race and if you are interested in doing either please see John Foulkes at the bar or on 07817 590 055. It’s a fiver to own a horse or twenty quid to sponsor a race. As usual there will be an auction on race 9 and if you’re horse wins this race you”ll win from 50% of the auction pot.

man riding horse
Photo by Jose Ricardo Barraza Morachis on Pexels.com
C Sharp Uncategorised

Help Needed – Land Contamination, Ecology, Biodiversity Assessments for our Club House Rebuild Project

I’m leading on a project to rebuild the club house at Stretford and we are at the stage of applying for planning permission. However, pre-planning advice from the council says we need to conduct a land contamination assessment, ecology assessment & bio-diversity assessment to submit with our application. If anyone knows any consultantants or companies that might be able to help with some social value related activity or volunteering/pro-bono please contact me. The club is located on an old landfill site and is part of the green belt therefore the cost just to get to planning is considerable. And I mean considerable. Especially for an open access community cricket club that is already paying £6000 per year for electric (and thats with solar panels covering a third of our use)

exisiting clubhouse at Stretford Cricket Club