There have been worse seasons in the 160-year history of Middlesex but Martin Williamson, a member for almost 50 years, cannot recall any. "Speaking to other members the mood is one of apathy and resignation," he says.
"It's just really sad." Richard Sykes, the Middlesex chairman, made little attempt to sugarcoat matters in a summary of their accounts at the end of last year, writing that "2023 has been one of the toughest years in the club's history".
A cursory health check of Middlesex's recent performances reveals more red flags than the People's Republic of China.
Failure to win promotion to the first division of the county championship last season was compounded by a dismal white-ball campaign, which brought six victories in the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup combined.
The runs and wickets of the former England players Sam Robson and Toby Roland-Jones were not enough to carry a squad comprising talented youngsters such as Josh de Caires over the line, a position unlikely to improved by the decision to release the veteran opener Mark Stoneman due to the club's stretched finances.
Middlesex are awaiting the verdict of a second disrepute charge in less than 12 months, have lost Tier One status for their women's team (and with it considerable central funding), and ended the summer with doubts raised over how long the club will continue playing at Lord's. As the Guardian revealed last month, its landlord, the MCC, has granted Middlesex a 12-month extension to their lease that will ensure the majority of their matches take place at the Home of Cricket next season, but the long-term outlook is uncertain.
The changes taking place at the other side of Lord's, which has been Middlesex's home since 1864, are rather more dramatic.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 01, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 01, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Debt, IT woes and no chief executive What returning Asda boss has in store
Allan Leighton faces a back-to-thefuture challenge as he once again takes charge at struggling Asda.
Sweeney's RFU salary rises to £1.1m amid job cuts and losses
The Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, was paid £1.1m for the 2023-24 financial year despite record losses and swingeing job cuts at the governing body.
'Probably more out than in' Salah leans towards exit with Liverpool yet to offer new deal
Mohamed Salah says he is disappointed Liverpool have not offered him a new contract and feels \"probably more out than in\" in terms of staying beyond the end of the season.
Reds' contract dance with Salah was always likely to be complex
Revamp after Jürgen Klopp's exit did not help and time is short for Liverpool to make their talisman feel wanted
Guardiola insists ageing squad is not behind City's alarming drop in form
Pep Guardiola has denied that a key factor in Manchester City's run of five consecutive defeats is that nine of his squad are aged 30 or older, with the manager pointing to how the same players were Premier League champions last season.
Wan-Bissaka seals West Ham win to take heat off Lopetegui
On a bitterly cold Tyneside night, West Ham finally remembered how to fight back.
Arteta seeks ruthless edge to fix away-day woes in Europe
Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal team to fix their patchy European away form against a vibrant Sporting tonight, admitting they need to improve a record of one win in their past eight continental trips.
I've got my mojo back ... I actually felt unwell at the end at Chelsea'
After recharging her batteries in the US, Emma Hayes reflects on the grind of club coaching and fresh ambitions
Spurs blow as Vicario faces long spell out after surgery
Guglielmo Vicario has had surgery to repair an ankle fracture sustained in Tottenham's 4-0 Premier League win at Manchester City on Saturday.
Verstappen in 'that club' with Senna and Hamilton
Red Bull chief Horner claims his driver's fourth, and most challenging, world title puts him in same class as the greats