Welcome Richard ‘Dougie’ Fairbanks

MCCF was founded in 1999 with just 4 county representative sides. Last year we had 24 teams at @RHSSuffolk

Since 1999 Tim & Will Parker of @ParkersPitches & @WoolpitCC have been instrumental in producing the annual festival pitches, but 2023 was Will’s final MCCF. Thank you so much Will!

MCCF 2024 will see a new Head Groundsman in Richard ‘Dougie’ Fairbanks. Dougie started his introduction to cricket groundsmanship in the 1990s under the tutelage of Keith Croton at Browns Cricket Club, Suffolk. After a break following the merger of Tattingstone and Browns he later went on to help the charismatic Kester Clarke and then, Rick Jones, with the two grounds at Ipswich Cricket Club. Dougie eventually took sole control.

The two grounds were fully occupied including a number of county representative fixtures at many age-groups and a popular end of season tournament every year.

With so much going on Dougie was instrumental in getting a robotic outfield mower, the second RTK mower in the UK and the first one in cricket.

Previously, a Financial Director and Systems Consultant, Dougie went part time in 2014 in order to devote more time to his volunteer cricket duties.

Don Topley said, “We are delighted to secure the services of Dougie who is well known in the Suffolk cricketing fraternity. We hope he enjoys his new role as he will make a huge contribution in his role to produce 60 representative match strips in 9 days.”