2026 AGM: Perry, Dearden, Wainwright skippers - round-up

(Overview of Cheshire CCC AGM, 24 November 2025)

Sam Perry, Harry Dearden and  David Wainwright will again lead Cheshire's 1st XI in 2026 - Perry and Dearden leading the white ball charge across 50 and 20 over formats, Wainwright spearheading the red ball championship challenge.

Gavin Colbourn continues in a coaching role with Nick Brooks managing the 2nd XI with support from Andy Dufty.

David Bailey concluded his excellent three year presidential term with Pete Babbage taking the helm for the next three years.

Jim Law moves into his fourth year as Chair with Andy Newton continuing as vice.

Stuart Anderson (Treasurer)and John Petch (Secretary)continue in their honorary posts with Inge Bevers (Membership/200 Club), Nick Brooks (2nd XI), Julie  Rafferty (Governance), and Di Babbage (EDI) making up the management commitee.

Stuart Anderson highlighted a satisfactory financial year with the Club once again 'on the right side of the line'.  

Chair, Jim Law reflected on another challenging year but with  'more ups and downs'. Availibility of senior players proved 'testing at times', and he highlighted the demands on players across a season - potentially 22 club Saturdays and if Cheshire were succesful across all three formats, 17 Sundays and eight midweek days competing with club commitments.

Law highlighted the contributions of the three captains across the seasons and  the contribution of Gavin Coleborn as coach.

He paid tribute to Wainwright's continuing 'senior influence' across the Club with an undefeated red ball side that saw several young players progress through the Cheshire pathway with Nick Brooks taking the 2nd XI management helm and progressing 'an exciting squad'.

With voluntary support at a premium there was recognition for the management committee in general including Inge Bevers working with Stuart Anderson on ther 200 Club and membership, John Petch's constant NCCA admin challenge, and the disciplines of ensuring first rate EDI and governance compliance and management from Di Babbage and Julie Rafferty. 'Above and beyond' was the the norm for everyone.

Andy Newton, Derrick Hastings, John Pickup and David Sharp continue to add unwavering support and David Bailey's ambassadorial input is second to none.

"We again thank our members and supporters," Law continued, "and we're so grateful for the fact that our club's give us the opportunity to play at some of the best grounds in the country".

Continued excellent support from the Cheshire Cricket Board was also acknowledged.

 Law felt the Club had a number of challenges in 2026 on and off the field. Planning for the future is ongoing and club and fixture commitments can wreak havoc (but also present opportunities). In addition, the financial demands continue with just surviving of course, travel - there are three day 'long haul' visits to Cornwall and Dorset.

Cheshire County Cricket Club 2026

Officers:

President: Peter Babbage

Chair: Jim Law

Vice Chair: Andy Newton

Hon. Secretary: John Petch

Hon. Treasurer: Stuart Anderson

Management Committee

Jim Law (Chair/Marketing), John Petch (Administration), Nick Brooks (Cricket), Gareth Coleborn (Cricket), Stuart Anderson (Finance), Mrs Julie Rafferty (Governance & Safeguarding), Inge Bevers (Media & Membership), Di Babbage (EDI), David Bailey.

General Committee

Jim Law (Chair), Andy Newton (Vice Chair), John Petch (Secretary), Peter Babbage (Cricket), Stuart Anderson (Finance),  Mrs Julie Rafferty (Governance & Safeguarding), Inge Bevers (Media & Membership), Di Babbage (EDI), Sam Perry (50 Over Captain), Harry Dearden (T20 Captain),David Wainwright (Championship Captain)

Honorary Life Vice Presidents: John Pickup, Tony Percival, David Sharp, Derrick Hastings, Elise Scrimgeor, Andy Newton, Keith McGuffee

Cheshire CCC 2024 Management Accounts