Durham Cricket maintains revenues in the face of cost pressures

An "excellent" season for Durham's cricketers alongside a busy programme of community events and concerts has helped Durham Cricket to sustain turnover and profits.

The community interest company (CIC) behind the Chester-le-Street club has filed accounts for the year to the end of September 2023 which show turnover was broadly flat at £8.02m and operating profits fell from £335,628 to £294,664. English Cricket Board distribution - for the staging of international cricket at the Riverside - made up the majority of the club's turnover at £4.3m, followed by food and beverage income at £1.1m and match income at £866,067, among other sums.

Chairman Ian Botham said the club combatted rising cost pressures to maintain a stable income and thanked lead sponsors Dafabet and Seat Unique. The year covered by the accounts saw Durham win the second division of England's County Championship, securing promotion to the top division.

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The year also saw two major concerts at the Riverside including a date of The Who's Hits Back! tour and a night of Rod Stewarts' Global Hits tour - both of which were said to be well attended. The Chester-le-Eats food, drink and music festival and an enhanced community programme featuring T20 themed nights linked with Durham Pride, Poverty Hurts, The Chloe and Liam Trust, The Durham Cricket Foundation and Young Asian Voices, were also highlighted.

Lord Botham said: "The county championship saw the team finish 66 points ahead of Worcester in second with a record of seven wins, six draws and one defeat in an exciting campaign. Alex Lees was the country's leading run scorer in the competition with 1347 runs. David Bedingham with 1019 and Ollie Robinson with 931 also having a significant say in the national batting statistics.

"On the bowling front it was a national 1-2 for Durham with Ben Raine 60 victims and Matthew Potts 54 leading the national charts. A disappointing T20 blast season saw four wins and seven defeats, along with two tied games in what proved once again to be a tough North group. Ollie Robinson and Graham Clark leading the Durham run scoring charts with Nathan Sowter and Ben Raine the bowling. A youthful Durham team managed three victories in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

"A successful championship season was rewarded with a record number of Durham players gaining international recognition on winter tours. Ben Stokes and Mark Wood lead the way in the senior men's setup with Alex Lees, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Ollie Robinson and Callum Parkinson gaining recognition with the England Lions. Ben McKinney captaining an England Under 19 side that also included Mitchell Killeen, Haydon Mustard and Dan Hogg

"The above success wouldn't be possible without the hard work taking place within both the boys and giris' pathway and academy program that continues to develop young talent from across the region."

The company’s headcount stayed the same during the year at 119, of which 46 are playing staff.