The Wisden Cricketer

MEDIA RELEASE 17 March 2006

Cornish strugglers Mullion CC wins star-studded makeover

UK's most southerly cricket club 'adopted' by The Wisden Cricketer Cornish cricket club Mullion CC has been selected for a star-studded makeover worth thousands of pounds as winner of The Wisden Cricketer magazine's national Adopt a Club competition. Mullion, which is the UK's most southerly mainland cricket club, was chosen ahead of more than 230 entries from struggling cricket clubs across the UK.

Magazine editor, John Stern, said the club met all the criteria set by the competition and demonstrated spirit and character which helped catch the judges' attention: "We were looking for a club which was experiencing tough times but which had the spirit and determination to improve. Mullion has been around for 125 years so they have a great tradition and are buzzing with enthusiasm and ideas to get them back on track. Hopefully, with our assistance, they will begin to achieve that this season."

David Fowles, Mullion CC's chairman, said the news was a fantastic boost to the club in the year that it celebrates its 125th anniversary: "Everyone at the club is absolutely stunned and delighted that we have been chosen. You never expect things like this to happen but now that it has, we'll be working flat out to make it a fantastic success. It's hard to believe that our players will soon be rubbing shoulders with top stars at the ECB National Academy for pre-season training, and it will be a great boost to the many youngsters involved with our Youth programme."

By convincing the magazine that it is the nation's struggling club most deserving of support, Mullion is set to receive an amazing 'money can't buy' package of cricketing support, including:

· a training session at the ECB's National Cricket Centre (the Academy) in Loughborough, using facilities enjoyed by England's best players

· a full set of Slazenger clothing and kit - including bats - as well as a coaching day with one of its sponsored players, who include stars like Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Graeme Hick and Mark Butcher

· equipment and practice facilities, including a bowling machine, nets and artificial pitch, courtesy of Flicx.

· Sky Sports will provide a coaching session with one of its star name commentators and will also follow the fortunes of the club on TV

· best-selling writer Marcus Berkmann will write-up the club's progress every month in The Wisden Cricketer, while Cricinfo.com will cover all first-team matches

· Cockspur Rum will supply Man-of-the-match awards · top groundsmen will provide help to improve the ground and playing surface

· leading coaches, nutritionists and sports psychologists will help players improve their game

Mullion CC at a glance

· formed in 1881, celebrates 125th anniversary in 2006

· has played in the Cornwall League since 1932

· youth programme produced former England U-19 and Northamptonshire player, David Roberts

· 2003, both first and second XIs bottom of respective divisions

· club equipment consists of one net, old gang mowers and broken roller

· no club sponsor

· located near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, it is the UK's most southerly mainland club

About Adopt a Club

In December 2005, The Wisden Cricketer magazine launched a national search to find a down-at-heel cricket club which had the drive, ambition and desire to rise through the ranks. The magazine assembled a group of high profile cricketing partners, to provide a 'money can't buy' package of free equipment, playing kit, expert coaching, professional expertise and national media exposure for the selected club. Entries were received from more than 230 clubs across the UK.

Full details of Mullion CC's selection will appear in the April issue of The Wisden Cricketer magazine, published on Friday 17th March and be posted on www.cricinfo.com.

Top