Alton’s Cricket Director Richard Myers (left) and Alton’s Town Council’s Senior Groundsman, Richard Whapshott (right), have every reason to smile after the Brewers’ Jubilee Playing Field was named Southern Premier League Ground of the Year for 2021.
The pair are pictured sitting on the roller alongside the George Winkles Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the club with the highest combined pitch and outfield marks in the SPL. Pitch marks in 2021 were 32.5 and 9.1 for the outfield.
Alton’s award reflects the joint partnership between the two which contributed to the success.
Reflecting on the award, Richard Myers commented: “This was result of several years of hard work between the Club and the Town Council to make this possible, going all the way back to 2012 with the relaying of part of the square.
“The Jubilee Ground has been recognised as one which was improving throughout this process, with the Club being presented with the Most Improved Ground Award by the League in 2016, and by the increased requests by Hampshire Cricket to use the Ground for older Age Group matches in the past couple of years.”
“None of this would have been possible without the support and commitment of both groups in making the partnership work, and I look forward to this continuing for the foreseeable future”
Commenting on behalf of Alton Town Council Leah Coney, (Town Clerk) said: “We are delighted that the Southern Premier League has recognised Alton with this award.
“The Town Council has worked hard over the last few seasons with Alton Cricket Club investing resources in both the preparation of the pitches and the outfield.
“We would like to recognise the efforts of Martin and indeed all of the Town Council Grounds Team as well as the significant contribution of hundreds of volunteer hours by Richard each year. Well done everyone !”
The pair are pictured sitting on the roller alongside the George Winkles Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the club with the highest combined pitch and outfield marks in the SPL. Pitch marks in 2021 were 32.5 and 9.1 for the outfield.
Alton’s award reflects the joint partnership between the two which contributed to the success.
Reflecting on the award, Richard Myers commented: “This was result of several years of hard work between the Club and the Town Council to make this possible, going all the way back to 2012 with the relaying of part of the square.
“The Jubilee Ground has been recognised as one which was improving throughout this process, with the Club being presented with the Most Improved Ground Award by the League in 2016, and by the increased requests by Hampshire Cricket to use the Ground for older Age Group matches in the past couple of years.”
“None of this would have been possible without the support and commitment of both groups in making the partnership work, and I look forward to this continuing for the foreseeable future”
Commenting on behalf of Alton Town Council Leah Coney, (Town Clerk) said: “We are delighted that the Southern Premier League has recognised Alton with this award.
“The Town Council has worked hard over the last few seasons with Alton Cricket Club investing resources in both the preparation of the pitches and the outfield.
“We would like to recognise the efforts of Martin and indeed all of the Town Council Grounds Team as well as the significant contribution of hundreds of volunteer hours by Richard each year. Well done everyone !”
