'HEARTBREAKING' WITHDRAWAL BY GRAINTHORPE

By Phil Burrell

Today marks a sad day, as Grainthorpe Cricket Club have taken the decision to withdraw from the East Lindsey Cricket League, with immediate effect.
This decision has left a considerable degree of sadness in the hearts of those people (including myself) who over the years have put so much time and effort into keeping the club going.
Unfortunately the general level of apathy that has emerged over the last few years has eventually taken its toll.
Grainthorpe CC came into existence in 1977 and were co-founders of the ELCL in 1978, and our long heritage within the ELCL makes this decision even more heart-breaking.
This should be a warning to all cricket players out there not to take your club for granted. In 2007 the club lost its junior section and this has to been seen as the start of the decline, once again showing the importance of junior cricket.
The club has been beaten by those who felt it not their responsibility to take the club forward and have just left it for others and this is the result.
Just remember because Joe Bloggs turns up every week to cut the grass, mark the pitch, coach the juniors, make the tea, update the website, attend meetings DO NOT take them for granted, give them the support and thanks they need as when the are gone they are not easy to replace.

NF adds: This statement has been circulated to other clubs by Phil, who asked Lincs Cricket Latest to give it a wider audience. His thoughts are worth bearing in mind - what he has to say is applicable in many other cases.