Cheam CC Statement

Cheam Cricket Club notes the recent social media statement issued by Cheam Sports Club, which contains a number of inaccuracies and misleading claims.

Cheam Cricket Club serves up to 290 members each season, including up to 220 local children aged 5–17. Cricket has been part of the Cheam community since 1864 and remains one of the largest sections of the Club.

The decision to attempt to dissolve the cricket section was taken unilaterally by the Executive Officers. It was not voted on by the Executive Committee or the wider membership, and there is no provision within the Club’s Constitution that allows a section to be dissolved in this way. The constitutional basis for this action has already been questioned by other sections and members.

For clarity, Cheam Cricket Club has never refused to contribute fairly and has consistently met its financial obligations, including throughout Covid. This dispute is not about willingness to pay — it is about transparency, governance and proper process.

The Sports Club’s statement claims the original grounds contract was £40,000. This is incorrect. The agreed figure was £32,730, as confirmed in Executive Officers’ own correspondence, representing the total contract shared between cricket and football, with cricket responsible for approximately 50%. This discrepancy materially affects the cost narrative presented publicly.

Following this, the grounds contract was renegotiated without consultation and presented to the cricket section as a non-negotiable ultimatum, resulting in an increase of up to 85% in cricket’s rent. This followed earlier proposals, also made without consultation, to remove cricket’s second square and outdoor nets, which would have materially diminished the club’s ability to operate.

The Club’s Constitution (Section 13.2) explicitly guarantees the right to a meeting where rent is disputed. This has been repeatedly requested by the Cricket Section but has not been permitted.

The Surrey Cricket Foundation, following over five months of involvement, stated that the financial approach taken by the sports club appeared to disappointingly apply pressure in a way that risks the future of cricket at Cheam.

Cheam Cricket Club remains committed to resolving this matter constructively and to protecting cricket for the local community and future generations.

Cheam Cricket Club Committee

For a more detailed statement visit: www.cheamcricketclub.com/statement