Cutting both ways

A wind of change blows across the Racecourse Ground as the new administration - led by chairman Don Amott and chief executive Tom Sears - announce cost-cutting measures. The moves are part of an attempt to reduce an annual deficit projected to reach a crippling £200,000 for 2005. The club announced three redundancies in the office staff and the sale of its catering operation, measures which management hope will save £150,000 a year.

"We'll still be losing money at the end of the year," Sears says. "But at least it should be in manageable proportions, allowing us to recruit players aggressively. The catering, for instance, had a turnover of £450,000 but a profit of under £8,000 and that is not good business. By selling it off we have guaranteed an income of at least three times as much." Since David Houghton took over as coach the cricket budget has been tight and the county knows what you get if you pay peanuts.

The priority is to get the playing staff up to scratch. There may well be a smaller squad next season but the cricket budget is unlikely to be cut. "We want to completely restructure the composition, ability and strength of the squad," Sears says. "A lot of players are coming to the end of their contracts and it's clear we need better quality on the field. We have ambitious plans but it's essential we put our house in order first." That would suggest an exodus this autumn.

Moment of the month Making 539 against Durham, the first time they had passed 400 this season.