Gosport Borough skipper Lee Harrop’s biggest fear during Covid-19 crisis isn’t a financial one. He is currently more concerned about his club potentially losing players than any financial woes brought on by the pandemic.
Compared to some cricket clubs, Borough don’t own their Privett Park ground, so have none of the annual costs associated with its upkeep.
‘At the moment the cost of losing players is a bigger worry than money,’ Harrop said.
‘You might get kids losing interest because they have not been playing the game - it’s been a year since they played now.
‘At the other end, you’ve got players with young families who might enjoy spending more time at home. They might realise how much time cricket can take up and drop out.’
Harrop, left, has been surprised by how much he is missing the sport.
‘I’ve played cricket for a long time, and you end up taking it for granted,’ he outlined. ‘You miss all the jokes, it’s something to look forward to, and when it’s not there you end up missing it a lot.’
Gosport have gone through a yo-yo period in recent times. Relegated from Division 3 of the Southern Premier League in 2018, they finished third in the top flight of the Hampshire League 12 months later.
Arguments
Normally that would have seen them miss out on promotion, but they ended up going up with Hook & Newnham Basics 2nds as Parley’s ground facilities didn’t meet league expectations.
‘2018 had been an awkward year,’ Harrop recalled. ‘There were a few arguments and it showed on the pitch.'
Gosport were due to welcome young Kiwi all-rounder Thomas Shuker to Privett Park this summer, but with Gosport's opening games with Hook and Trojans already postponed, a 14-day arrival quarantine now imposed and the ECB suspending all cricket until July 1, its fair to stay he'll be remaining in his Auckland home in the coming months.
Harrop said the club have always tried to get an overseas import in, as ‘it can be difficult trying to get players to play for Gosport if they don’t live in Gosport. We’re a bit off the main drag and it can be difficult getting in and out.
‘It’s also nice to get people in from overseas who have different views and different ways of doing things - it adds a fresh dimension.’
Big Bash and IPL star Chris Lynn (2008) has been Borough's best overseas recruit, with Aussie Leeland Zeller three years later playing a key role in the club's promotion from the Hampshire League.
Compared to some cricket clubs, Borough don’t own their Privett Park ground, so have none of the annual costs associated with its upkeep.
‘At the moment the cost of losing players is a bigger worry than money,’ Harrop said.
‘You might get kids losing interest because they have not been playing the game - it’s been a year since they played now.
‘At the other end, you’ve got players with young families who might enjoy spending more time at home. They might realise how much time cricket can take up and drop out.’
Harrop, left, has been surprised by how much he is missing the sport.
‘I’ve played cricket for a long time, and you end up taking it for granted,’ he outlined. ‘You miss all the jokes, it’s something to look forward to, and when it’s not there you end up missing it a lot.’
Gosport have gone through a yo-yo period in recent times. Relegated from Division 3 of the Southern Premier League in 2018, they finished third in the top flight of the Hampshire League 12 months later.
Arguments
Normally that would have seen them miss out on promotion, but they ended up going up with Hook & Newnham Basics 2nds as Parley’s ground facilities didn’t meet league expectations.
‘2018 had been an awkward year,’ Harrop recalled. ‘There were a few arguments and it showed on the pitch.'
Gosport were due to welcome young Kiwi all-rounder Thomas Shuker to Privett Park this summer, but with Gosport's opening games with Hook and Trojans already postponed, a 14-day arrival quarantine now imposed and the ECB suspending all cricket until July 1, its fair to stay he'll be remaining in his Auckland home in the coming months.
Harrop said the club have always tried to get an overseas import in, as ‘it can be difficult trying to get players to play for Gosport if they don’t live in Gosport. We’re a bit off the main drag and it can be difficult getting in and out.
‘It’s also nice to get people in from overseas who have different views and different ways of doing things - it adds a fresh dimension.’
Big Bash and IPL star Chris Lynn (2008) has been Borough's best overseas recruit, with Aussie Leeland Zeller three years later playing a key role in the club's promotion from the Hampshire League.
