Derbyshire - rescue from the doldrums?
by Alan Rowley, 10th December 2001

With the festive season approaching and the gloom of the winter months now thoroughly set in, the cricket season is still over seventeen weeks away. However, news is definetly not in short supply as work has already started to rescue Derbyshire, and their County Ground home, from the doldrums.

At the County Ground, demolition is well under way on the grandstand. The building, which used to be a hive of activity with a thriving pub and snooker hall, has been in decline for years and has become an eyesore. The grandstand, which dates back to 1911 when it was at the end of the straight mile of the old Derby racecourse, was becoming dangerous, so the decision to knock it down was inevitable.

Racing ceased at the ground in 1947, when Sir Gordon Richards was amongst the winning jockeys on the final day. Aerial photographs of the ground still clearly show the path of the old straight course. Indeed, with the demolition of the grandstand, this will be the only remaining evidence of the formerly very popular racecourse. Strangely, no photographs showing horses and the grandstand appear to exist - unless you know otherwise.

On the cricket field, Derbyshire have completed the signing of Jason Kerr from Somerset. Bolton born Kerr joins the county from Somerset who he has been with since 1993. Somerset site publisher The Grockle describes Kerr as "quite good really" and sees his move to Derby as "a good move" which will benefit both counties.

The Grockle's piece on Kerr goes on to say: "Derbyshire will expect him to put the ball where his promise suggests he can. And we'll all know the truth of it by this time next year. I personally hope he does what most bowlers do when they leave here because somewhere inside Jason Kerr is a very good cricketer and we've only seen glimpses." Let's hope he fulfills his promise at the County Ground.

Derbyshire have also completed the signing of Gloucestershire right-handed batsman Dominic Hewson. Hewson, who made his debut for Gloucestershire in 1996, scored two centuries against Derbyshire last season.

Completing a trio of Derbyshire signings is Neil Gunter, a fast bowler who was on the Lord's staff last season. He has no first-class experience. Derbyshire skipper Dominic Cork said: "Neil is a young man who will benefit greatly from a full season of professional cricket".

Around the Derbyshire Leagues, clubs already seem to have slipped into the Christmas spirit with no news to report from either the Premier or the County Leagues. As players start their post-Christmas diets and pre-season fitness routines, maybe news will start to flow thick and fast again.