During an extraordinary general meeting on Friday (February 20), Rickmansworth Cricket Club members called for the immediate resignation and replacement of the Rickmansworth Sports Club trustees.
The cricket club’s pavilion and associated assets are held in the separate management and stewardship of the trust, but chairman Stef Maggi has shared images of the “deteriorating” building including, leaks, cracks, and outdated facilities.
Rickmansworth Cricket Club facilities (Image: Rickmansworth Cricket Club)
He said: “Members have become increasingly frustrated by what they see as a lack of transparency, weak governance, and missed financial opportunities that have contributed to the decline of the pavilion and wider facilities at Park Road.
“Rickmansworth Sports Club remains an unincorporated entity, which members believe is no longer acceptable.
“Advice given by Three Rivers Council as far back as 2016 suggested restructuring as a community amateur sports club or charity, but that was not acted upon.
Rickmansworth Cricket Club facilities (Image: Rickmansworth Cricket Club)
“As a result, significant funds — estimated at around £70,000 in business rates — could not be reinvested into improving facilities for the community.”
While trust-controlled areas have allegedly declined, Rickmansworth Cricket Club recently secured £200,000 in funding to improve areas it does control. This includes new practice nets, improved drainage, and a new changing room for the second pitch.
Rickmansworth Cricket Club facilities (Image: Rickmansworth Cricket Club)
Two of the three trustees appear to have been in their role since around 1989 but, far from the regular meetings clubs might expect, Mr Maggi said of one “if he walked in now, I wouldn’t know him from Adam”.
Successive cricket club committees have apparently unsuccessfully requested documentation such as a copy of the constitution for the trust, which exists to safeguard ongoing sports use of the grounds for the community.
Mr Maggi added: “This is about protecting the future of the whole club and ensuring that assets gifted to the community back in 1923 are properly managed.
“The cricket club is flourishing. We now have 15 junior teams (including five girls’ teams), a new women’s team, and six adult men’s teams, with more than 200 local players representing the club.
Rickmansworth Cricket Club facilities (Image: Rickmansworth Cricket Club)
“Members have shown patience for many years, but the time has now come for meaningful change.”
The trustees declined to comment.