By Paul Edwards
Any analysis of the changes in personnel that have taken place at Southport and Birkdale CC over the last year would probably conclude that Don Searle has the biggest boots to fill.
The task of succeeding Ken Standring as President is daunting indeed and perhaps Searle’s only consolation is that no-one could match his predecessor’s range of activities and influence.
“I certainly can’t claim that I never bowled a wide,” joked Searle in reference to one of Standring’s many accomplishments, and anyone who saw the new President during his playing days would quickly agree.
But they would also add that S&B have made a wise choice in selecting someone whose first involvement at Trafalgar Road, as a schoolboy in 1962, actually predates Standring’s debut by 11 years.
Now, though, Searle is presented with a fresh set of challenges and a club seeking to rebuild after relegation last September.
However, his previous experience of S&B, as bar steward in 1980 and as third-team skipper in the late eighties, has helped to give him a remarkably wide-ranging perspective on the club’s development.
“I was in the hotel trade around the country for much of my working life but always came back to Southport and I suppose I must have re-joined S&B about three times,” he said.
“I’ve also had two spells on the management committee and I’ve seen a huge number of changes, not least in the architecture of the place.
“However, there have also been changes in the social composition of S&B and now there are a large number of families with young children who use the place almost as a local throughout the summer and support it very strongly.”
Like his predecessor, Searle sees his role as much more than a figurehead and presenter of trophies. He wants the families who use the club during the season to have some good cricket to watch and hopes to be active in fundraising.
“I hope we can drive financial support back up to where it was a couple of years ago. Ken’s work at S&B was informed and enhanced by his unique involvement in cricket throughout Lancashire but my involvement will have to be centred on the club and the town.
“I’ll be contacting the list of subscribing vice-presidents very soon and I also hope to be adding new members to the list.
“There’s certainly room for younger supporters to help out if they can.
“But even though I will be concentrating my work on Trafalgar Road, I’ve been an umpire for 11 years, so I know most of the players and officials around the Liverpool Competition.
“That will enable me to offer advice when the merger between the Competition and the Southport and District League eventually goes ahead. That will be a challenge for both leagues.”
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