By Chairman John Heatley, 1981

My thoughts in these notes last year suggested that things were coming right at Trent Bridge. Our progress off the field has been followed by increasing success on it. In 1981 our hopes were realised in the best possible way and we can be proud of our fine win in the Schweppes Championship.

Ken Taylor’s firm but patient efforts since his appointment as Manager have produced a discipline and professionalism in the Nottinghamshire dressing room which are a credit to the Club. His success after such a long period with us both as Chairman of Cricket and as Manager is richly deserved and it is reassuring to think that the County Championship is just reward for one of the fairest men in the game.

Unencumbered by the problems of management and able to concentrate solely on the fortunes of the first team on the field, Clive Rice has led us again in a most positive way. His aggressive leadership and willingness to take teams on have produced, in addition to our first trophy for some considerable time, some wonderful cricket.

Nine results in ten games at Trent Bridge speak for themselves and for the skill of our Head Groundsman, Ron Allsopp, whose directive both from the TCCB and from the Manager and Captain was to produce wickets on which positive cricket could be played – wickets which have been appreciated by umpires and opponents alike. It is a pity that most of the adverse criticism we suffered for our wickets came from journalists without the courtesy to visit the ground to see for themselves.

Congratulations then, from us all, to Ken Taylor, Clive Rice and all the players on a wonderful achievement and my thanks to all those behind the scenes who helped to make it possible.

Off the field our finances have withstood the ravages of recession and we show a small profit. Our commercial activities have largely stood still this year but our ability to spend more on cricket has gone a long way towards our success in the middle. We are aware of the need to maintain the improvement in our finances and to secure that Trent Bridge remains a leading Test Match ground and that Nottinghamshire is established as one of the leading County Clubs.

Our contacts with cricket at all levels in the County have been greatly strengthened  by the arrival of John Cope and our relationship with the Notts Cricket Association, the Coaches Association and the Umpires Association has never been closer.

We are always grateful for the loyal support we receive from these organisations. Congratulations too, to Nigel Plews who has joined the list of First Class umpires after so much time umpiring with our second eleven.

1982 will be an even more difficult year both on and off the field. The heady success of the Australian summer of 1981 will have evaporated. Income from TCCB is anticipated to be well down. We must work hard to maintain our progress on the field. We have all enjoyed the taste of winning and we shall all be trying as hard as we can to make it a habit.