Barnard Castle Cricket Club have appointed former player Ben Usher as director of cricket, as they prepare for next season’s campaign.
Usher takes over from Michael Stanwix who previously held the role, and he is keen that his work will involve the whole club, from the juniors all the way to the first team.
Usher said: “One of my major roles will be to nurture the talent that we are lucky to have at the club. We have a few exceptional juniors, Max Martin and Max Riley-Fox to name a couple, and it’sessential that they are brought through properly.”
“I really want to be able to help with training of the side which will then free up James Quinn and the professionals we have, to be able to focus purely on their cricket.”
The club made the two big signings after the end of last season, former Derbyshire fast bowler Eddie Barnes, as well South African all-rounder Sean Whitehead. These acquisitions bring a certain pressure to the club, with expectations undoubtedly now high for next year.
Usher said: “With these signings we are showing the team that we have their back, and they will almost certainly be good additions to what is already a strong team.”
“Our target for the year is quite simply to win every game of cricket we play. That starts at the first team but feeds down through the club. If we can do that then trophies will take care of themselves.”
“One of our main targets is that the second team can achieve the promotion that they came close to last year.”
Both of Usher’s sons have represented the club at senior level with his son Finn opening the batting in the Premier League. Finn’s younger brother Oscar is hugely talented as well, but mainly focuses on rugby where he represents Mowden Park across the country.
“I might have to increase Oscar’s pocket money to get him to turn out each week, but it may be worth it. It would be great if he can play but he has priorities elsewhere, which is entirely understandable.”
Barney’s season may not start until the end of April, but the cogs are already turning at the club in planning a campaign to bring silverware back to the Vere Road ground and make sure there is high quality cricket on show for years to come.
