MCC members approve sale of life memberships to raise redevelopment funds post-pandemic

SAM MORSHEAD: Nearly four-fifths of those who voted (79.46 per cent) said yes to item eight on the club's annual general meeting agenda this week, paving the way for the scheme to be implemented in the coming days

MCC members have overwhelmingly approved the introduction of life memberships to aid the club's revenue streams in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Nearly four-fifths of those who voted (79.46 per cent) said yes to item eight on the club's annual general meeting agenda this week, paving the way for the scheme to be implemented in the coming days.

MCC has forecast losses of between £10million and £15million should no cricket be possible at Lord's in 2020.

The club intends to offer around 1,500 life memberships, most of which will be taken up by existing full members. The cost will vary depending on age between £7,000 and £17,000.

If not all 1,500 life memberships are taken up by existing members, the club can offer life membership to associate members, people on the waiting list, or members' friends for a payment of between £35,000 and £75,000.

The club will have the capability to create a maximum of 350 new full members through this scheme. 

This is all in an effort to help fund the £52million redevelopment of Lord's. The packages will go on sale from next week, with the club hopeful of recouping £15million as a result.

It will be the first time since 1996, when money was being raised for the construction of the new Grandstand, that the MCC has made life memberships available for purchase.

The idea had been met with vocal opposition from some parts of the club, including allegations of elitism and concerns that offering memberships for hugely expensive one-off payments would alienate a large section of the waiting list.

There are currently 18,000 full MCC members and 5,000 associates, with prospective members stuck in a near 30-year queue for a famous bacon-and-egg tie.

The news comes 24 hours after it was announced that Clare Connor will become MCC's first female president in 2021.

Connor, the former England cricketer, has been nominated by current incumbent Kumar Sangakkara as his successor.

Save 30% when you subscribe to The Cricketer’s print & digital bundle. £35 for 12 issues

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.