Will Hoy, Commercial Director at Fosters Solicitors and Mike Hanby, Chair Norfolk CCC
Fosters Solicitors announced as Associate Sponsor
Norfolk County Cricket Club (NCC) is delighted to announce a new sporting partnership with Fosters Solicitors.
The East Anglian law firm, who have offices in Norwich, Wymondham and Lowestoft, will become an Associate Sponsor of NCC.
This sponsorship will see Fosters Solicitors extend its partnership network within sport, with the firm already having long-standing relationships in football with Norwich City Football Club, Lowestoft Town Football Club and the Anglian Combination Football League – as well as sponsoring Norfolk Boys’ Under-13s and Norfolk Girls’ Under-18s through the Norfolk Cricket Board.
Commenting on the news, Fosters Solicitors’ Commercial Director, Will Hoy said: “We are thrilled to be joining up with both the NCB and NCCC for the season ahead. This is our first venture into local cricket, and one we are excited to pursue at all levels of the game, with NCCC representing the senior sport in the county and our NCB sponsorship supporting two junior teams.
“These relationships add a different dimension to our already strong sports-based partnerships and Fosters Sport + Entertainment client-base, and we are also looking forward to forging even more connections with the business and cricket communities involved with both organisations.”
On behalf of Norfolk County Cricket Club, Director Mike Hanby added: “We Are delighted to bring Fosters Solicitors on board as an Associate Sponsor of NCC. It is great to be working with a professional partner who has such strong sporting connections and who are a prominent business in our local area.
“Partnerships like this are so important to us, not only in helping us financially in the running of the club, but also in bringing the local business and sport communities together. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Josh Cobb
Read the article in the Northampton Chronicle: Former Steelbacks skipper Josh Cobb signs up for 2024 stint with Norfolk.
Norfolk CCC is pleased to announce the signing of Josh Cobb as professional for 2024 season. Josh formerly of Northamptonshire CCC, signed a white-ball contract with Worcestershire CCC in January. He was white-ball captain at Northamptonshire until last year and captained Welsh Fire in the Hundred in 2022. Josh has scored over 5,500 First Class runs, nearly 4,000 in T20 and 3,330 in List A cricket, including twelve centuries. He is a very useful off spin bowler and has taken 131 wickets in all formats.
Josh has built his reputation as a dangerous one-day batsman who can also have a big impact with the ball. Never was that more apparent than in the 2016 NatWest Blast final when his audacious 80 took Northants to a final-over victory against Durham. It earned him a second player-of-the-match award in the Blast Final after taking 4 for 22 against Somerset in 2011 for Leicestershire, his home county.
Cobb said, “having spent time in Norfolk over recent years I am looking forward to getting to know the cricket there and representing the county which has a great tradition. It’s a young group of players who are keen to win trophies and I would love to help contribute to that however I can over the next few years.”
Norfolk Chair Mike Hanby said,” having met Josh I know he will fit into the side very well and he has been our number one choice since last season ended. We have bided our time and are delighted Josh will be joining us for the next few years. I am sure the Norfolk members and supporters will enjoy watching his explosive batting!”
To all Members, Supporters and Followers of Norfolk CCC.
March 2024
I hope everyone is wintering well and looking forward to the new season!
Most of you will be aware that Chris Brown has been appointed Cricket Ireland’s High Performance Spin Bowling Coach on a three-year full-time contract and started his new position in January. This is a great opportunity for Chris to develop his career with an ICC member nation and he goes with our very best wishes. Norfolk’s loss will be Ireland’s gain!
We moved quickly to address the situation ahead of the winter training schedule and it has allowed us to press the reset button after a disappointing season in 2024. Tom New has been appointed coach with Sam Arthurton as player/coach. It will give them both the chance to start with a fresh approach as we begin the post Brown era. Tom and Sam are working closely together and share very similar views about the direction of travel going forward.
Part of this new direction is the appointment of Josh Cobb as professional. Josh left Northamptonshire CCC in January and has signed a white-ball contract with Worcestershire. He was white-ball captain at Northants until last season and captained Welsh Fire in The Hundred in 2022. Josh will be joined by Sammy King from Nottinghamshire CCC who will be available for the white-ball campaign.
After much deliberation and following meetings with Horsford CC officials we have taken the decision to play the white ball games away from Manor Park this season. This will help Horsford with less games as they work hard to try to improve the wicket. Horsford are putting in significant resource and eort to turn things round and have our full support. Please see the accompanying sheet which has in depth details of the work which is being undertaken.
I trust you will all understand that this decision has not been taken lightly but we do believe it is in the best interests of all parties. Norfolk CCC are committed to Manor Park, and we are confident that the playing surface will significantly improve with the actions Horsford are taking.
We will be playing the showcase game against Northamptonshire CCC on 21st July and both Festival games at Manor Park. Two white-ball matches will be at Great Witchingham which was voted the best wicket in the East Anglian Premier League for 2023 and two at Sprowston due to its close proximity to Norwich. Sprowston have invested heavily to upgrade their facilities in recent years.
I think we have a massive opportunity in 2024 to take the county forward and I hope you will all get behind the club as we work hard to ensure a successful season.
If anybody has any questions about the collaborative approach between Norfolk and Horsford or any other matters, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mike Hanby, Chair of Norfolk CCC.
Mobile: 07799 582922. E-mail: mike@mcbfinancialservices.co.uk
Club Statement – 4 March 2024
The playing surface at Manor Park has been inconsistent for several years. At times, the pitch has played very well with true bounce and carry. However, on occasions the pitch has been variable, for both Horsford and Norfolk matches.
Following a detailed period of consultation and investigation, we have established the cause of the inconsistency and agreed on the solution. We have liaised with Norfolk CCC, Norfolk Cricket Board and the EAPL throughout.
The end of season renovation work was completed by Parkers Pitches, who are renowned as experts in the field. They have been closely involved throughout the winter.
Following much discussion and research, we have instructed SIS Pitches to install two Hybrid Pitches. Hybrid Pitches are used frequently by First-Class Counties, and highly regarded by groundsmen throughout the UK. The Hybrid Pitch has several advantages:
a) The synthetic strands will help to bind the surface together, assisting with the historic root breaks.
b) The synthetic strands will encourage new root growth at depth.
c) The surface creates a true and even bounce and carry.
d) The surface requires less maintenance than a normal, all-turf pitch.
e) More matches can be played on a Hybrid Pitch.
The Hybrid Pitches were successfully installed in February. Matches in 2024 will be played on a combination of natural turf and hybrid pitches.
We are also delighted to confirm our new Head Groundsman. Simon Chipperfield is well known in Norfolk cricket, having enjoyed a successful playing career. Simon will be leading a small group and preparing the pitches throughout the season. Simon will be supported by a number of Club members, together with Kane Munday. Kane will be well known to many, having been involved in Suffolk cricket for some time.
The outfield has also been a source of challenge over the last few years. Over the winter months, we have invested heavily with renovation and improvement. This has included:
- We have scarified the outfield.
- We have over-seeded the outfield.
- We will Verti-drain the outfield.
- We will fertilise and feed the outfield, during the spring.
Our work on the outfield has been directed by our new Outfield Groundsman, Ian Flaxman, together with new Grounds Partner NCSL.
The covers at Manor Park have been a source of challenge over the last few years. Several matches have been cancelled, due to leaking covers and side sheets. We have invested in new roll-on covers, together with side sheets and bowlers run ups. We have also invested in a new Pro-Tech flat sheet that can be used independently.
The existing covers will be repaired and will be used on the bottom pitch.
We are not only investing on the field of play. In the last few years, we have embarked on a maintenance and improvement programme to the Clubhouse. This has included refurbished toilets and improved heating system. We are, over the winter, fully refurbishing the showers.
If funding allows, we will create a patio area outside the changing rooms, creating a separate area for players. This will ensure the clubhouse is accessible and welcoming to all guests. The work will also include a ramp, for disabled access to the bar area. We are waiting to hear if our funding applications have been successful.
During last winter, we completely refurbished both scoreboards on the main pitch, and installed a new digital scoreboard on the bottom pitch.
This statement demonstrates the significant investment Horsford Cricket Club is making to Manor Park. We are determined to create a cricket ground that is of the highest quality. The significant financial investment has been possible due to the healthy state of Club funds, grant funding, sponsorship, and an ECB interest-free loan.