Ferndown Wayfarers clubhouse and pavilion at Dolmans Farm
Ferndown Wayfarers, who won the Hampshire Cricket League championship at the first attempt this past summer, have failed to win a place in the Southern Premier League next year.
Promoted as Division 2 runners-up behind East Woodhay in 2022, they won 12 of their 14 completed fixtures and finished top, comfortably ahead of runners-up Hursley Park in the title chase.
But, whilst their ground boasts a double-lane practice nets and double sightscreens, neither the overall pitch marks for Dolmans Farm nor the existing changing and shower facilities in the pavilion have met the required SPL accreditation criteria to enable the Dorset club to go up.
Leading run scorer Alex Sansom, whose 635 runs haul included centuries against East Woodhay, Purbrook and Easton & Martyr Worthy, and 27-wicket James Raftery are among the Ferndown players disappointed they won't be playing at a higher level in 2024.
Hursley Park have been promoted after a seven-year exile in the HCL, but with their ECB ClubMark having lapsed some while ago, third placed Odiham & Greywell were not eligible to go up either.
Odiham field four Saturday teams in the Hampshire League alongside running a successful women's team and numerous mixed junior sides.
All clubs participating in the Southern Premier League are required to have ClubMark - a rule strictly enforced and in place since the competition began in 2000.
It means a reprieve for Trojans, who will remain in Division 3 despite finishing second to bottom this past season.
They looked down and out when Fareham & Crofton beat them in the final round of this season's matches, but now they've survived the drop.
The Stoneham club has, however, been asked how it plans to improve dressing room security and enhance facilities for match day scorers.
The Trojans Club has been granted planning permission for six padel tennis courts, but it is unclear when and where they will be laid out and what impact, if any, they will have on the cricket outfield.
Promoted as Division 2 runners-up behind East Woodhay in 2022, they won 12 of their 14 completed fixtures and finished top, comfortably ahead of runners-up Hursley Park in the title chase.
But, whilst their ground boasts a double-lane practice nets and double sightscreens, neither the overall pitch marks for Dolmans Farm nor the existing changing and shower facilities in the pavilion have met the required SPL accreditation criteria to enable the Dorset club to go up.
Leading run scorer Alex Sansom, whose 635 runs haul included centuries against East Woodhay, Purbrook and Easton & Martyr Worthy, and 27-wicket James Raftery are among the Ferndown players disappointed they won't be playing at a higher level in 2024.
Hursley Park have been promoted after a seven-year exile in the HCL, but with their ECB ClubMark having lapsed some while ago, third placed Odiham & Greywell were not eligible to go up either.
Odiham field four Saturday teams in the Hampshire League alongside running a successful women's team and numerous mixed junior sides.
All clubs participating in the Southern Premier League are required to have ClubMark - a rule strictly enforced and in place since the competition began in 2000.
It means a reprieve for Trojans, who will remain in Division 3 despite finishing second to bottom this past season.
They looked down and out when Fareham & Crofton beat them in the final round of this season's matches, but now they've survived the drop.
The Stoneham club has, however, been asked how it plans to improve dressing room security and enhance facilities for match day scorers.
The Trojans Club has been granted planning permission for six padel tennis courts, but it is unclear when and where they will be laid out and what impact, if any, they will have on the cricket outfield.
Ferndown's double-lane net practice facility
