Essex have high hopes of their ECG

By Paul Hiscock

Cricket grounds like the SCG and MCG in Australia enjoy world-famous status, but Essex hope that the decision to rebrand the title of their comparatively humble 6,000-capacity Chelmsford headquarters will also become synonymous with cricketing deeds - albeit closer to home.

The county'’s long-standing ground-naming agreement with motor giants Ford has now finished, leaving Essex without a sponsor for their home base. Accordingly, during the 2013 season, the ground will be known as the ‘County Ground’ or ‘The ECG’.

Earlier this week the county signed the necessary paperwork for their exciting ground development to begin with the building of 62 apartments on the current car park. That will generate funds to finance the remaining two phases and the positive news is that 90 per cent of the initial phase is already sold.

The future phases will include the creation of a new pavilion, cricket school, multi-storey car park plus the construction of three further blocks of apartments. The ground's capacity will also be increased to approximately 8,000.

Essex chairman Nigel Hilliard said: "It's going to be another couple of years before we see the fruits of our labour but, generally, I think it's going to make a big difference to the club."

Once the refurbishment is completed, it is expected that naming rights will again be up for grabs with any such sponsorship deal realising a figure in the region of £100,000 and Hilliard has confirmed that there is already interest. "“We've got people waiting in the wings,"” he added.

Ford, meanwhile, will continue to provide vehicles for the club'’s use while retaining other sponsorship arrangements around the Chelmsford ground.

John Faragher, Essex's deputy chairman, said: "We have established a strong business partnership with Ford over recent years and their support of Essex Cricket is appreciated. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them."
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Date: 20/01/2013 09:00:00 by Paul Hiscock
In: Today | Essex |