Essex Outfielder : The Unofficial Essex CCC Forum
Off-Topic => In The Hut => Topic started by: essexfan548 on January 19, 2026, 03:08:51 PM
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/18/sussex-cricket-special-measures-alleged-financial-mismanagement-cricket
"Sussex have been placed in special measures by the England and Wales Cricket Board due to alleged financial mismanagement and breaches of the governing body?s sustainability regulations.
It is understood that the county is in the process of signing up to an ECB business plan, which will include strict limits on their spending, with any significant outgoings such as player signings or registrations requiring approval from Lord?s. The ECB will also monitor Sussex?s financial returns, and observe board and committee meetings. ..."
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Oh dear. The money from that big legacy got staffed away.
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From The Cricketer online (paywalled). I think the point about the use of the 28 million is a good one:
The news that Sussex are in financial strife begs the question why can't they be given the estimated 28million due to them from The Hundred auction?
The ECB say money from Project Gemini can be used to build reserves, generate revenue and reduce debt. Around 400,000 was paid to counties in July, upon six of the eight deals being completed.
They have put guardrails in place for the good of the game, and they are not letting it be spent on operating losses.
"We will utilise the County Partnership Agreement (CPA) to ensure that while counties do have autonomy over their funds, they are operating within a framework and are held to account on their financial sustainability," a statement released last February read.
This is harsh, in my opinion. If some counties need it for operating losses, needs must. They have made enough sacrifices for The Hundred.
In men's cricket, all Sussex have to put on at Hove in the school summer holidays are 50-over games involving depleted sides; just four home matches.
The Cricketer first learned of Sussex's difficulties last year, but now The Guardian has broken the news that they have been placed in special measures due to alleged financial mismanagement.
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Is it the case, as with sport clubs. That the road to Hell, is paved with Ground Redevelopments.
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Oh dear. The money from that big legacy got staffed away.
*spaffed*.
The 12 pieces of silver is going to be spent many times.
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Points deduction could be on the way apparently. Every little helps...
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Points deduction could be on the way apparently. Every little helps...
Be very careful about gloating.
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Points deduction could be on the way apparently. Every little helps...
According to online and BBC sources, its likely to be a suspended points deduction for all 3 formats and a 50k fine which will mirror image Middlesex's fate.
The 50k fine along with the ongoing investigation is likely to stop them investing in any Grade A or possibly any overseas players.
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Is it the case, as with sport clubs. That the road to Hell, is paved with Ground Redevelopments.
With sports ground redevelopments, more often that not your club is damned if they do, damned if they don't. We Essex faithful are forever moaning about our uninspiring Chelmsford HQ but the many Essex supporters who support West Ham are moaning even loader about the Hammer's sterile bowl of a ground.
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The Cricketer is reporting that Middlesex have moolah problems. In their case, it is not owning a ground and no prospect of generating income. As MCC have first call on Lords, there is little that they could organise there.
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The Cricketer is reporting that Middlesex have moolah problems. In their case, it is not owning a ground and no prospect of generating income. As MCC have first call on Lords, there is little that they could organise there.
Lots of money in N. London. They should tap up some of their high rolling supporters.
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The Cricketer is reporting that Middlesex have moolah problems. In their case, it is not owning a ground and no prospect of generating income. As MCC have first call on Lords, there is little that they could organise there.
They'll be the next county to privatise. It's their only way out and they know it.
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Lots of money in N. London. They should tap up some of their high rolling supporters.
The article contains the following gem:
The hope, when attracting an investor, is to be able to build a multisport facility inside the M25 near Heathrow; quite the ambition. As club chair, the affable but somewhat beleaguered Richard Sykes notes, any partner would probably require "an element of philanthropy".
So an investor that shouldn't expect to see any returns. Good luck with that. They really are up against it.
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Lots of money in N. London. They should tap up some of their high rolling supporters.
The article contains the following gem:
The hope, when attracting an investor, is to be able to build a multisport facility inside the M25 near Heathrow; quite the ambition. As club chair, the affable but somewhat beleaguered Richard Sykes notes, any partner would probably require "an element of philanthropy".
So an investor that shouldn't expect to see any returns. Good luck with that. They really are up against it.
JP Getty was very philanthropic with the MCC. It can happen again.
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Points deduction could be on the way apparently. Every little helps...
12 points deduction in the CC and 1 each in the other two.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cy8pzlkx2ygo
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Points deduction could be on the way apparently. Every little helps...
12 points deduction in the CC and 1 each in the other two.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cy8pzlkx2ygo
Shocking decision from the ECB. Let them spend some of the hundred money to get out of the mess. They made mistakes, but a points deduction is really unfair. As others have said, we shouldn't gloat because the ECB would treat Essex the same way given half an excuse.
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An article in The Cricketer online goes into more detail ( https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/county-cricket-premium/sanctions_could_be_worse_but_sussex_face_uphill_task.html?t=639056537783390917 ). Here's an excerpt:
The England and Wales Cricket Board have leant Sussex money to steady the ship, a structured loan, repayable in full by January 31, 2029.
"Today (Monday), the governing body confirmed that the club has entered into a three-year financial framework agreement in order to access exceptional funding. The agreement, under the ECB's Exceptional Funding Policy, has been put in place after the club approached the ECB for financial support following significant operating losses in the most recent financial year, missing revenue targets and increasing the cost base to an unsustainable level."
Essentially, Sussex racked up a 1.2million debt in operating losses. A catering contract went wrong, the Sixes company has gone into administration (the company has one of its cricket bars in the ground), and the player salary budget has risen sharply in recent years as young guns have matured and Division One status was attained (Ollie Robinson is also now on the club's books rather than England's).
Sussex paid 400,000 of that 1.2m debt off thanks to a payment all counties received from the ECB for The Hundred auction. The ECB are not giving them any more money at the moment from The Hundred, even though counties were expecting 24m each.
Guardrails have been implemented that dictate the money can pay off consolidated debt, but not new debt. The ECB say it can be used to build reserves, generate revenue and reduce consolidated debt. Unlike other counties, Sussex have no consolidated debt. Some would say all this is unfair
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Points deduction could be on the way apparently. Every little helps...
12 points deduction in the CC and 1 each in the other two.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cy8pzlkx2ygo
Shocking decision from the ECB. Let them spend some of the hundred money to get out of the mess. They made mistakes, but a points deduction is really unfair. As others have said, we shouldn't gloat because the ECB would treat Essex the same way given half an excuse.
Well maybe, but why should they be allowed to spend more than their means when most others haven't ? They sigjend a few players and clearly couldn't afford them. So why should they be allowed the hundred money earlier than others due to their overspend? Putting them at a competitive advantage over others when they couldn't actually afford it?
Smacks of Durham signing all those kolpaks, dominating for a few years, but it all being built on sand as they couldn't actually afford the kolpaks
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Just do what Football clubs do. Spend will beyond their means. Then call for the Wahbalance. Wah Wah, helping the community. Keeping people off the streets. He arrived in a rubber dingy, look at him now.
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Just do what Football clubs do. Spend will beyond their means. Then call for the Wahbalance. Wah Wah, helping the community. Keeping people off the streets. He arrived in a rubber dingy, look at him now.
Hey hey hey keep that for angry letters to The Daily Mail.
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I noticed yesterday, pictures of Sussex CCC in South Africa and playing cricket.
How can an administrator allow this, I know that Sheffield Wednesday's pre season tour to Ireland was cancelled immediately they went into receivership.
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Sussex may be sponsored. Essex went on a pre-season tour to the West Indies, which had some payment towards expenses. What I remember about that tour, was the commentator on local radio. Had a different pronunciation of RTD's name, each time he said it.
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I noticed yesterday, pictures of Sussex CCC in South Africa and playing cricket.
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They are the Sarah Ferguson/Katie Price of cricket.