By Daniel Ford
When asked about his aims for the upcoming cricket season, new Eastbourne cricket captain Scott Lenham simply raises his index finger and points upwards.
There’s a palpable buzz of optimism at the Saffrons Sports Ground for the new season starting this month.
This is despite the fact that the team needed a play-off win to avoid relegation to Division Three of the Sussex League last year.
The target of the club’s top men’s team for this season is clear.
“It has to be [promotion to the Premier League]. For Eastbourne Cricket Club, the aim is always to compete in the Premier League. First and foremost, we have to compete in every game,” said Lenham, who took over leadership after long-time captain Jacob Smith stood down.
And that new optimism is not unfounded as the club have attracted some promising young talent for the upcoming season, including Toby Burdekin, 18, an opening batsman in the Sussex Junior set-up, from Crowhurst Park; Toby Leonard, 18, a wicketkeeper-batsman from Buxted Park; Ben Dye, 17, a spinner from Rottingdean; and overseas player, Jared Humphreys, 21, an all-rounder from Sydney who has been playing first-grade cricket with University of New South Wales.
Putting faith in youth is obviously the key for Lenham, who is only 23 himself. He has personally identified and targeted the recruitment of these new players along with the club’s director of cricket Mark Tomsett.
Together with the core of last season’s squad, these newcomers should provide a formidable side – especially when you add in the possibility of occasional appearances from the club’s county-level players such as Ali Orr (Hampshire), Henry Crocombe and Archie Lenham (both Sussex).
Archie is Scott’s younger brother; he made his first-class debut with Sussex in August 2021 just after turning 17. But the Lenham family are no strangers to top-class cricket.
Grandfather Les played cricket for Sussex from 1956 to 1970, making 300 first-class appearances, while father Neil also represented Sussex. He made 192 first-class appearances for the county, as well as captaining England U-19 before going on to coach the Namibian side in the 1997 ICC Trophy.
As well as a new first team captain, the club also goes into the 2025 season with a new chairman Jon Purdey, who took over the role in October last year. Originally from Torquay, Purdey has been at the club since 1997 – the year Eastbourne won the National Club Championship.
“Although that had nothing to do with me!” he says. Purdey believes that, notwithstanding the optimism of the first team, sustained success will come only when a club is strong through all levels on and off the pitch.
“Success for the club will revolve around engagement, with our five senior teams and our junior teams striving for winning memories on the field,” he said.
“If you look at all the teams that are successful over the years in whatever sporting sphere it is, they are strong off the pitch.
“They get on with each other and if we build on that strong network behind the game, training becomes more positive. In 1997 all those players had grown up with each other, had built really good friendships, and could trust each other on the pitch.”
Our aims for the season revolve around engagement: in our past, with charity
Jon purdey
and with local business
It’s no surprise that the new chairman believes the club needs strength in depth to be successful, considering the number of different roles he has had. As well as his current position, he has been a player, 2nd XI and 3rd XI captain, committee member and, in his own words, general ‘dogsbody’.
“Our aims for the season revolve around engagement. The three pillars are engagement in our past – former players and committee members; engagement with charity [the club have the St Wilfred’s Hospice logo on their shirts this year]; and engagement with local business – to raise money for the club and enable them to network.”
The culmination of that comes with a dinner on 25 July, a day when players from the past will also be invited to attend a game. “To watch Scott’s team win!” Purdey adds with a smile and a nod towards his new captain.
It’s a clear indication of the new spirit around the club.
The year ahead for Eastbourne cricket
“Our women’s team is gearing up for an exciting season with both fresh, new players, and returning talent. This year we aim for success on and off the pitch, be that individual performances, wins or some new friendships made. We have been training hard over the winter and look forward to putting that hard work into practice for the first game of the new season.”
Women’s captain Sophie Naish
“2025 is shaping up as an exciting opportunity for the twos. A growing young and talented core will be supported by some experienced heads as we strive for promotion to Division Four. With a welcoming and fun culture, we hope to create a memorable season remembered as much for on-field efforts as off-field moments.”
Men’s 2nd XI captain Jamie Hamilton
“We’re so looking forward to 2025. Getting a good blend of youth and experience is key. [Ultimately] we get to enjoy spending time with some great people.”
Men’s 4th XI captain Paul Elphick
:: Main photo Daniel Ford
:: Daniel Ford is the author of Fish, Chips & Football, a book that covers a season of football in Eastbourne and along the coast. To order: www.chasemysnail.com
:: This is an independent, not-for-profit website reporting for the community. It is run by a qualified, experienced journalist who interviews people and asks questions.
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