With the dust settling on the 2024 Cricket County Championship, it’s worth reflecting on how the three, big-name cricket clubs we sponsor, have fared.
During the summer we were delighted to announce a new association, as we became an official Advertising Partner at Surrey CCC, which includes signage around the Kia Oval, online and the opportunity to communicate directly to the Surrey membership. Surrey is one of the most famous clubs in the sport, playing at one of the most recognised venues in the World, so becoming a partner was a real milestone for us.
So, it was a thrill to see them win the County Championship and become Champions for the 23rd time overall. And having lifted the trophy in 2022, 2023 and 2024, this group of Surrey players have etched their name into County Championship immortality by becoming the first team since Yorkshire 56 years ago, to win three titles in succession!
And speaking of Yorkshire – the club we sponsor via our Leeds office – congratulations are due, as they won promotion back into Division One! It went down to the wire though, as they just picked up enough points in their final game of the season against Northamptonshire to see off Middlesex. Huge congratulations to all the players, coaches and support staff on your well-deserved success.
We’ve been associated with the club almost since the Leeds office opened its doors in 2018 but became an Official Partner in 2022. And although there have been some challenging times recently, it’s fantastic to see a club of Yorkshire’s stature back in the top tier of cricket. As Championship winners a record 33 times, it really does feel like the White Rose is coming home.
And now onto the Red Roses – Lancashire. Unfortunately, they fared less favourably this season and were relegated to Division Two after failing to pick up any batting bonus points against Worcestershire in their final match. It’s not a stretch to say that it’s been a sluggish season for the team, so it wasn’t entirely all down to the last game. And it wasn’t all doom and gloom. A big standout for the season was watching the Lancs captain Keaton Jennings entertain the crowds by scoring over 1000 runs.
Our association with Lancashire goes back to 2012, which by coincidence was the season that also saw them swap places with promoted rivals Yorkshire! So, as Meatloaf famously said, ‘Two out of three ain’t bad’. However, we have a feeling that Mark Chilton and the team at Emirates Old Trafford are already underway plotting the path back to Division One – and we’ll be right there with them.
Wishing all three of our big-hitting cricketing clubs a recuperative and productive close season, and the best of luck for 2025.
Image: BBC Sport West Yorkshire
