2008 update - released 11th July 2008

So far, the 2008 season has been a difficult one for Morley CC.  First team fortunes have not been what we had hoped for, but then any side which loses its overseas opener bowler (Mohammad Azarhulla), a County player (Chris Taylor) and one of its better batsman (Matt Taylor) will struggle to produce results in the short-term.  But the Club is already re-grouping and preparing for improved performances in the latter part of 2008 and to continue the Club’s development next year and beyond.

Matthew Taylor resigned as First X1 Captain at the end of the Priestley Cup tie against Esholt on Sunday June 29th.  As Captain, he had enjoyed the full support and backing of the Cricket Committee for the whole of the 2008 season.  The background to Matt’s departure is that he had become frustrated by the loss of overseas player Azarhulla and there have been some differences of opinion with some team members and officials on team selection and Club policies.  After the Esholt game, Matt reported that he had been heavily criticised by a club member as he left the field and he had, therefore, decided to resign the captaincy and leave the club with immediate effect.
 
As a result, Scatcherd Lane favourite, Adam Larkin has been unanimously endorsed by the Committee as Captain for the remainder of 2008.  Adam is also looking to build the long term future of the club via a five-year plan. Established players like Nathan Bromby, Danny Lloyd, Dave Nebard and Michael Cooper are still very much part of the team and we are immensely proud of the development of ex-juniors like Tom Smith and Michael Davies and current junior Spenser Horsfall.  In addition, the club has not lost its ability to attract quality players from other clubs and evidence of this is provided by the recent signing of Richard Barber.

The Junior section of the Club is also progressing well and will be a mainstay of the Club’s development in future years.  We are developing an academy structure to nurture the best of our young players.  The junior structure is already providing rewards and, while accepting that First X1 progress has been poor this year, the success of the 2^nd X1 and the under 17 side this year points towards success in the future.

Graeme Smith has stood down as Cricket Chairman; this was a personal decision that is not related to Matt Taylor’s resignation.  Graeme will remain on the cricket committee along with long serving officials Steve Ream (Cricket Secretary) and Bernard Cooper (Cricket Treasurer).  There have been no resignations from the cricket committee and, until a new Chairman is appointed, Club Treasurer David Dowse is temporarily taking the chair.  David revitalised the Junior section and was the main driver behind the Club achieving Club Mark status during his period as Junior Chair.

The Cricket section is in good hands. Whilst this season has so far turned out to be a disappointing one for the First X1, due in many cases to reasons beyond our control, plans are in place to develop and take the team forward and re-ignite the excellent progress we have made in recent years.