Behind the Boundary: How Chelmsford Cricket Club is Funded as a Grassroots Sports Team

Chelmsford’s recent success in the Essex Premier League should inspire other clubs to shift from funnelling funds into overseas or county pros and instead focus on developing home-grown talent – creating a more unified club from top to bottom.

The sun is setting on a warm September evening at Chelmer Park, home to Chelmsford Cricket Club who have just won their fourth title in eight years, with a whole roster of home-grown talent. The smell of beer-soaked whites wafts through the clubhouse air whilst heavy house music is switched to old school sing along classics. Lifelong friends who have grown from youth level to adults embrace each other by the bar as celebrations begin.

'A special group of players' [2021]

Chelmsford claimed the 2024 title by 30 points, losing only two of their 18 games. This achievement was driven by an ethos of prioritising home-grown players and trusting their talent, rather than splashing cash on a semi-pro-overseas.

“It's far more rewarding to succeed with your own players than to go and poach from other teams or spend on an overseas [player] like others do,” says Robert Hayto, Chelmsford Cricket Club Chairman. “To know your own players are bringing in success validates the ethos of the club and the hard work our coaches have put in to develop players.”

Chelmsford Culture

Chelmsford CC place a strong emphasis on unity, loyalty and teamwork, welcoming players of all ages, genders and skill level. From the lower-level teams right up to the first team, everybody fosters a supportive mentality where winning and creating success is built upon. The club’s inclusive culture facilitates the opportunities to create everlasting memories and bonds that extend beyond the cricket field.

Founded in 1811, Chelmsford Cricket Club are an Essex Premier League cricket club situated in Galleywood, Essex. Before 1972, Chelmsford applied their craft at the County Ground, home to professional outfit Essex County Cricket Club. The club boasts a rich history of success on and off the field with four Premier League wins in eight years and home-grown players, such as Sam Cook and Aaron Beard, making the move into the professional game. Hertfordshire CCC captain, Ben Waring, also applies his craft at Chelmsford.

With six Saturday teams, a Sunday team, a plethora of age group sides and a girls team, Chelmsford Cricket Club is a massive cog in the cricket club scene within the Essex area. But how do they function and what plans are in place to strive for success whilst ensuring financial stability for the future?

Chelmsford's modern electric scoreboard, on their main pitch.

Chelmsford CC’s primary income derives from annual subscriptions and match fees topped up by sponsors, with grants from the ECB used on occasion for projects and upgrades to facilities. One vital event for the club is the annual fundraising day; ‘Family Fun Day’ which comprises of a Hundred-style tournament for adults and colts with bouncy castles, food and drink vans and participation from their sponsors, who supply free samples of their products and discount vouchers. Chelmsford’s Chairman, Robert Hayto explains how the fundraiser is important to the club.

"Financially it massively helps the club and it's nice to do something within the local community where everyone is invited to come along and watch the games, meet people within the club and enjoy the food/drink on offer,” Hayto says.

Picking up the story, Nick Bailey, secretary of the club since 2017, shares insight on the budgeting process of a cricket club and their ongoing expenses. Varying year by year, Chelmsford shift their budget to accommodate certain needs, fixing sightscreens, training nets and clubhouse repairs. Hayto adds that he was tempted to spend some of the club’s funds on an overseas player in 2024 but prioritised sightscreen repairs for the lower team pitch, highlighting the ‘one for all, and all for one’ ethos at Chelmsford.

2017 League Champions. Most of these faces you'll see in recent pictures of the team. Reinforcing Chelmsford Cricket Club's ethos. [2017]

“We wanted to get a 1st XI overseas,” Hayto admits. “But the sightscreens on the 3rd/4th XI pitch were in urgent need of refurbishment as they were declared unsafe, so we shifted the budget to make sure they were fixed as a priority.”

The Home of Chelmsford Cricket

Chelmer Park is an open public space with a climate all of its own. Even on sun-drenched days, the wind manages to slip through the trees, chilling the bones of the players, match officials and spectators. As the club play in a council-owned park, they do not own their clubhouse or pitch and are therefore required to rent the facilities.

Bailey explains how this is one of the clubs biggest ongoing expenses. “Ground and pitch maintenance is remarkably expensive,” he says. “Even minor repairs to the scoreboards and sightscreens cost hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

“Pitch hire and league costs remain our top expense. We play at a council park with three squares on the same site so three home teams [play] most weekends. League costs for match balls and pitch maintenance take out a significant portion of the budget.”

Chelmsford vs Chingford at Chelmer Park [2021]

Integral Sponsorship

When asked how the club approaches sponsors, Hayto explains that it is not an easy task.

“With difficulty is the honest answer,” he says with a chuckle. “I do my best, but it’s not an area I’m strong in. It’s usually through a connection within the club.

“Approaching a company that you haven’t met before is tough as you need to sell them the club and our community feel. It’s important not to go out there with your hat in hand asking for money.”

Bailey tells how, at times, he has to phone companies in bid to gain sponsorship.  “It depends who it is. We will sometimes approach companies through cold-calling and explain why a partnership would make sense.”

Hayto and Bailey both spent over 25 years at the club as players - where they skippered the second and first teams respectively - and now dedicate their time off the field in their administerial roles. When asked how their experience as former players influence their decision-making for the club, it was clear that maintaining the Chelmsford ethos is central to their approach.

“Playing at the club for 25 years has allowed me to see how those before me have run it,” Hayto says. “It’s given me the knowledge of our values and the respect of how to do the job. Whilst striving for success on the field, it’s vital I continue the good work of those before me to make sure the club is stable financially.”

Bailey adds, “It’s important to keep the playing membership at the core of our club decisions. Fundamentally, if the players are not happy, the club is not healthy. I see my role as secretary as being a source of information – helping players to understand the wider club picture.”

As the night of celebrations wears on and the drinking games turn into constant rounds of shots, the atmosphere in the clubhouse is filled with laughter and cringe-worthy karaoke. The warm feeling of camaraderie fills the air, and the title win becomes the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. With most players now onto their third jug of lager, there’s a collective understanding that moments like this are what truly make the victory worthwhile.

1st XI team photo [2024]