DURHAM County Cricket Club looks to have hosted its final Test match as the club was banned from staging top international games and relegated from the top division of the County Championship.

Just three years after Chester-le-Street staged an historic Ashes match, estimated to have generated £20m for the North-East economy, the club has been told it can no longer host Test cricket as part of severe sanctions imposed on the club in a financial bail-out.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed a £3.8m deal which will preserve the First Class status of the financially troubled club, which last month revealed that its debts had reached almost £7.5m.

But savage sanctions imposed as part of the bail-out will see the three-times county champions relegated to Division Two, start next season with a 48-point deduction and face stiff penalties in both of cricket’s cup competitions.

The club will not be allowed to carry out any future capital development work without ECB approval and will no longer be eligible to stage Test Match cricket at the Emirates Riverside stadium, although it will be able to host one-day and T20 internationals.

Club chief executive David Harker said: “We are clearly disappointed at the position we are in and the sanctions we have accepted, particularly for the players and staff who have worked so hard to keep us in the First Division.

"However, we continue as a First Class County, will host international cricket and have a platform to stabilise and develop Durham County Cricket Club.

"It is important that the club addresses its serious financial challenges and puts the business on a sustainable footing and therefore we have had to accept the conditions offered by ECB”.

He added: "Other counties have faced serious financial challenges but have been able to find other solutions including private investors without this reliance on ECB.

"We will continue to work with the ECB to promote cricket in the North East and are committed to securing a successful sustainable future for Durham County Cricket Club”.

In a defiant message on Twitter, club captain and former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood told shocked fans: “Yes I'm angry, yes I'm devastated along with all the other players at this great club, but far better being in Division Two than none at all.

“What we need now is all of your support, cause we won't stop fighting till we get this club back up to where it belongs”.
The ECB said it had agreed to the rescue package because of the “unprecedented seriousness” of the club’s position.

Chief executive Tom Harrison said: “There is no doubt that a strong, financially robust Durham County Cricket Club has a vital role to play in developing England talent, enriching our domestic competitions and underpinning the wider growth of the game in the North-East.

“The financial package and associated conditions approved by the ECB Board reflect the unprecedented seriousness of Durham County Cricket Club’s financial situation.

“To help them through these difficulties and continue as a First Class County, this had to be addressed with immediate, practical financial assistance.

“We also have a wider responsibility to the whole game and need strong deterrents in place to preserve the game’s integrity and financial stability.
“Durham have made a strong contribution to the game as a First Class County, through domestic competitions, local participation and producing fine England players.

“We now look forward to working productively with the new Board of Directors in the restructured company and supporting a healthy future for Durham County Cricket Club and the game in the North-East.”

Since achieving First Class status in 1991, Durham went on to win three county championships and two one-day trophies, as well as nurturing a host of home-grown talent such as Paul Collingwood, Steve Harmison and Ben Stokes who went on to star for England.

But the club, which has already lost several top players including one-day skipper Mark Stoneman and England all-rounder Scott Borthwick, will now have a revised salary cap imposed on it.

The financial restructuring still leaves two loans from Durham County Council outstanding, totalling just under £4m.

In a statement released following Monday’s announcement, Ian Thompson, the council’s corporate director of regeneration and economic development, said: “This is very much a cricket issue.
“We are sad and extremely disappointed by the news that Durham County Cricket Club is experiencing financial difficulties.

“We firmly believe the club is an important part of the broad cultural and sporting offer of County Durham and the wider region.

“It has delivered millions in economic benefits and plays a key role in maintaining County Durham’s global profile as a vibrant place to work, live and visit.

“We are firmly committed to working with our partners to support the local economy and, therefore, will work closely with the cricket club and ECB to understand the current issues while exploring all options going forward.”

Kevan Jones MP, whose North Durham constituency includes the club’s Chester-le-Street headquarters, said relegation and the loss of Test status would come as “a huge blow” to members and supporters.

He added: “The ECB claim that this deal will give the club financial security for the future, but I would ask why all other options were not explored before this was imposed, with Durham County Cricket Club being told to take it or leave it.
“The high-handed way this decision has been taken is outrageous and shows a total lack of regard for the loyal, local fans who spend a significant amount of money supporting their county club.

“The ECB claim to represent English cricket but clearly have no understanding of the particular challenges facing a club in the North-East.

“They need, as a matter of urgency, to explain how this decision was taken and how supporters are to be represented in future at the club as the ECB now seem to be in the driving seat.

“I will be raising these concerns with the ECB.”

WHAT THE DECISION MEANS:

COMPETITION: Durham will be relegated to Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship and start the 2017 season with a 48-point penalty in this competition. As a result of this decision, Hampshire will remain in Division One of the Specsavers County Championship, in accordance with ECB’s competition regulations. Durham will also start the 2017 season with a four-point penalty in the NatWest T20 Blast and a two-point penalty in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

  • FINANCIAL & GOVERNANCE: All non-player related ECB competition prize money due to Durham for the 2016 season to be refunded to ECB or withheld until all debts owed by the club to ECB have been settled. The club will also not carry out any future capital redevelopment works without ECB’s prior agreement.
  • SALARY CAP: Durham to be subject to a revised salary cap from April 2017 to April 2020 under the ECB’s Team Salary Payment (TSP) Regulations, set at a level to be determined annually by the ECB Board.