CRICKET: BEARS chief executive Neil Snowball has thanked the club’s supporters for their backing of the team despite being relegated to Division Two of the County Championship.
A poor four-day campaign saw Bears relegated with two games still remaining, and Snowball admitted he was ‘bitterly disappointed’ with the outcome.
Though many fans have voiced their criticism, Snowball was impressed with the ability of most fans to see the bigger picture.
“We are bitterly disappointed to go down to Division Two of the Championship, of course,” said Snowball.
“But I said at the start of the season that with two out of eight teams going down, two very good teams and very good clubs will go.
“It has been a difficult season in the championship for all with the Bears at heart and I want to thank the fans for their support throughout.
“It has been tough watching at times but the vast majority of our members and true fans have been very understanding.”
One positive from this season Snowball was keen to highlight was the work of the club’s management team to address the situation while handing debuts to home-grown youngsters.
He said: “I’m not happy about the club being in Division Two in the championship, nobody at the club is. But to be honest I am already looking ahead to next season and feel genuinely optimistic.
“There have been some very good signs already with the new recruits making an impact and some of the guys who have come through our player pathway getting their chance and impressing at first-team level.
“It has been a tough season but every club has those from time to time.
“Next season we will be looking to build on the already strong progress in the T20, take that momentum into the 50-over competition and also make it happen in red-ball cricket.”
