Welcome to another cricket season at Minster Lovell. A warm welcome awaits all the visiting teams to Minster Lovell Cricket Club, at Wash Meadow and the Recreation Ground at Brize Norton.
We continue to run the three Saturday league teams, Sunday and mid-week ‘friendly’ teams, the Minster Lions and large and successful junior cricket, which includes the ECB’s AllStars and Dynamos programs.
The fixture list is full and bats oiled, cricket balls ordered, we can look forward to another exciting cricket season.
Our thanks and appreciation go to all those kind volunteers who help run the club. This year a very special thanks to Rob Dick, for all the work and dedication he has given over many years with the club. Thankfully he is still around to offer advice and his knowledge to the rest of us. Thank you Rob!
Olly Mersh accepted the challenge of last years 1st XI captain and will continue in the role this year, as will Tony Gardner as 2nd XI captain, and Jake Mawson as the 3rd team captain. Their contribution was enormous and the continuity will make for an exciting time ahead. I wish them all the success for this season and for many more to come.
Each role/position in the club is equally important, and when running smoothly makes this club the success it is. It may not be a trophy laden cabinet, but it is in the way the club has inclusive cricket available for all standards and abilities, with a level playing field for all. We have dedicated coaches, supporters and players - even those who get asked to play on a Saturday morning, with a grumble - all playing their part in making MLCC a great place to play cricket.
As an example of this inclusive club, we are entering a mixed Dynamos team into a county competition, (as part of the Allstars Dynamo program). We hope this, (with a few more girls) will be the start of the club running a girls/ladies team in the very near future. There are a few hurdles in front of us - but there is nothing this club can’t do if we all pull together.
There are plans afoot to enlarge the pavilion to include girls changing facilities. The other area the club is always trying to improve on are our ground facilities, be it the square, outfield or the equipment to be able to do this. Plus it is hopefully, through grant funding that the club will be able to complete a much needed drainage project for Wash Meadow.
As you can imagine, the finances to support these improvements of standards year on year are extremely tight! The club prioritise the equipment the club can afford, with great effort put in to buy wisely. There are often grants available for various items and these are sought but not always gained.
It seems this year the finances are going to be even tighter than usual. We will need every pound we have to implement all our improvement wishes.
To help our cause, if you know of an individual or company that maybe able to help, through sponsorship or donation, please do get in contact. Please see the Sponsor Us page in this website and there is also a leaflet available that explains possibilities.
One way the club is hoping to raise some money is by ‘upping our game’ on the barbecue front. We have invested in a new barbecue (through an OCB grant), and along with the newish pizza oven, our menu of choice will be fantastic. Come down on a Friday evening, throughout the season, and sample some of the new MLCC barbecue cuisine. You will not be disappointed.
Please also see the link and read about the marvellous Minster Lions inclusive team. It has been some 10 years since the Lions won the prestigious Lord’s Taverners Sporting Chance Award, however, the the team are still as enthusiastic and heart warming as they have ever been.
Our junior teams are improving year by year and had great success last season. There is a full section featured in the website, giving more details. If these children are the future of this club, then the club is looking very strong.
We are always extremely grateful and appreciative to our sponsors for their continuing support, the Beer Festival is an excellent source of revenue, but extra money is always welcome!
Many thanks to the club’s main sponsor B&E Transport, to the Spar Minster Lovell for their fantastic sponsorship, to Gordon Hill & Sons and all those companies who have kindly advertised on this website and in our annual fixture booklet. Thank you again!
Lastly can I personally thanks all the umpires who turn out weekly to represent the club, Stuart, Dave and Dennis. To all the committee members whose tireless work keeps the club running smoothly and to all the players, scorers, coaches and supporters.
Sometimes we don’t know how lucky we are!

Wishing all our teams and players a very successful and enjoyable season.

Tim Gush Chairman MLCC