New ownership structure for Northants after vote is passed

The members of Northamptonshire have voted for the club to become a limited company.

The club, which is heavily in debt and has lost over £750,000 over the last couple of years, held an EGM on Thursday at which 86 per cent of the vote (172 votes for; 27 votes against) passed a resolution proposed by the board allowing a group of investors to take control of the club.

The board have previously stated they will look for between 10 and 15 investors to put in a minimum of £50,000 each. They provided assurances to those voting that the club's Wantage Road ground would not be sold off for the benefit of shareholders.

While the club's declining relevance to its local community might be demonstrated by the fact that fewer than 200 people voted on such a fundamental issue, it is arguable that its potential remains largely untapped. The club offers the closest professional cricket ground for around 8 percent of the population of the country and, despite its off-field issues, it has continued to produce high-quality players.

Not only did England's last two top-quality spinners (Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann) emerge through the club, but younger players such as David Willey, Ben Duckett and Olly Stone also developed there. Northants also won the NatWest Blast for the second time in four years a few weeks ago.