Pictured above: (l-r) Dennis Wall (Stafford CC), Stan
Highfield (Lord Mayor) and Richard Udeze (LTSB)
Stafford Cricket and Hockey Club has refurbished its club house
and created a new members' function room after securing a
five-figure business loan from Lloyds TSB Commercial.
The loan has enabled the club, which was established in 1864, to
provide improved facilities for its five senior cricket and five
senior hockey sides, as well as numerous youth teams. The club can
also now cater for larger numbers of people.
The new function room, which was officially opened by the Mayor
of Stafford in July, is already proving popular with members and
enables the club to accommodate more parties, weddings and meetings
on a weekly basis.
The loan has also facilitated the refurbishment of the changing
rooms and the installation of a new electronic scoreboard to offer
a greatly improved experience for both non-playing and playing
members.
Dennis Wall, president of the club, said: "It is important for
our members to have great facilities, but it is also important that
we generate more income so that the club can maintain profitability
and continue to grow and improve.
"With a high turnover of youth players progressing to the senior
sides, the club felt it was important to match the willingness of
the young sides to succeed, and we are looking in the longer term
to build a new Astroturf pitch for our hockey teams and associated
football teams.
"The funding provided by Lloyds TSB Commercial has proved
instrumental in this expansion, which has given us a solid platform
for further growth."
Richard Udeze, relationship manager at Lloyds TSB Commercial,
said: "We are delighted to have supported the club, which is an
excellent asset to the community. With new facilities we hope that
the club can continue to grow and become even more successful in
the future.
"This is a great example of how Lloyds TSB Commercial can work
closely with communities to help improve local facilities.
"By offering our support we are sure that Stafford Cricket and
Hockey Club can build on what is already a great community club and
we wish them every success in the future."