Spring Newsletter will whet the appetites of Somerset members

With the start of the new cricket season less than a month away, all members of Somerset County Cricket Club will be receiving their spring newsletter in the near future to whet their appetites for what lies ahead.

In his opening article new chairman Giles Clarke pays tribute to his predecessor Richard Parsons, and acknowledges the `tremendous service that he gave to the Club'.

Mr Clarke tells members: "Clearly the priority is the team on the field. It will be my job, aided by my deputy Andy Nash to try and bring in more revenue for the club."

He continues: "You, the members are very important to us and we need more of you. Raising money by subscriptions is just as important as sponsorship income...So more members, more sponsors and more non-match day activity, means a modernised ground is required."

Regarding this the chairman goes on: "A small team has been formed to examine ways in which capacity and facilities can be improved. Somerset has to have the ability to pitch for the right to stage the regional allocation of One Day International."

Mr Clarke concludes by telling members that he is determined to progress the ground situation and that in the near future he will be meeting with the ECB Management Board to discuss Somerset's aspirations to stage International cricket.

Also in the newsletter new skipper Mike Burns tells members `It's a privilege to play for Somerset... and it's an honour to lead the Club.' The former Warwickshire man goes onto talk of his total commitment to the county where he has made his home and tell them that he has been `converted to the passion which pervades everyone who supports the club.'

Looking forward to the season he says: "We are eager to return to the top flight at the first time of asking," and goes on to say, " Second Division cricket could prove much more exciting than First Division cricket as more emphasis is put on winning."

The new captain feels that the three new signings of Nixon McLean, James Bryant and Aaron Laraman will `significantly improve the team' whilst for himself he feels that he needs to score more runs and lead the team from the front by his own performances.

Elsewhere James Bryant says that he aims to repay Somerset for signing him by performing well on the field, Aaron Laraman talks about the `Cricket Bug ` and assistant coach Mark Garaway profiles his former Hampshire colleague Nixon McLean.

The newsletter is full of new views and information that will be of interest to Cidermen followers, including practical advice on how the new swipe card system will work, competition changes for 2003 and the hours of play.