Northamptonshire Cricket Obtain Freehold for Ground

Northamptonshire County Cricket club have announced they now own the freehold of the County Ground for the first time in their 107-year existence.

The club have been locked in talks with Cockerill Masonic Trustees, who previously let the ground to Northamptonshire on a long-lease basis, for the last five years.

But after completing the purchase last week, Northamptonshire – for the first time in their history – will have the freedom and opportunity to develop the ground in accordance with their ambitions to become one of ‘the best non Test Match County Grounds in the Country’.

The purchasing of the freehold, alongside the County Ground’s new outdoor nets facility that is due to be completed later this summer, has been made possible through a generous legacy left to the club by its former president Lynn Wilson.

Club chairman Martin Lawrence said: “This was the best thing the club could do and we are very happy that we have been able to achieve this.

“Although the Cockerill Trustees had allowed us to occupy the County Ground on a long leasehold basis there is nothing better than to have secured ownership of the site ourselves.

“This will help to sustain the long term financial security of the club and will enable the club to develop the site to the highest standards possible.”

“Douglas Iles one of the corporate partners at Friday Legal Solicitors and a member of our board, was very helpful to us in getting this purchase done and I would like to thank him for his efforts in this regard.”

Chief executive David Smith added: “This purchase gives the club a good opportunity to continue developing the County Ground, and developments such as the outdoor nets facility will enhance our reputation within the game and it should benefit the club in securing future international touring team fixtures, as our improving facilities will be a big attraction to them.”