Making sure you get it right first time saves a lot of time!
Being a treasurer of a cricket club comes with its own set of challenges. It’s not just about balancing the books — it’s managing a seasonal business, multiple income streams, and a membership base that ebbs and flows throughout the year.
Most issues we see aren’t down to lack of effort. They come from avoidable mistakes.
Here are the big ones — and how to stay on top of them.
1. Treating the Club Like a Simple Cashbook
Cricket clubs are more complex than they look. You’ve got:
- Membership subscriptions
- Match fees
- Bar and event income
- Sponsorship
Trying to run all of that through a basic spreadsheet quickly becomes messy.
Fix:
Use a system that separates and tracks each income stream properly, so you actually understand where money is coming from — and going.
2. Losing Control of Match Fees and Subs
This is a classic. Players turning up week after week… but payments don’t always follow. Multiply that across a full season and it adds up to a serious gap.
Fix:
Track match fees and membership in one place. Make it visible, and ideally automate reminders so you’re not chasing people manually.
3. Poor Visibility of Bar and Event Income
For many cricket clubs, the bar is a major revenue driver — but it’s often loosely tracked. That leads to:
- Stock disappearing
- Cash not matching expectations
- No real understanding of profitability
Fix:
Treat the bar like a business within the club. Track stock, sales, and margins properly.
4. Not Planning for Seasonality
Cricket clubs don’t have steady income all year round. You get:
- Strong income in-season
- Limited income in winter
- Ongoing costs regardless
Without planning, clubs run tight — or worse, run out of cash.
Fix:
Build a simple 12-month cash flow view. Know when money is coming in — and when it isn’t.
5. Leaving Everything Until the End of the Season
It’s easy to get through the season and think, “I’ll sort it later.” Later usually means:
- Missing records
- Guesswork
- Stress before the AGM
Fix:
Stay on top of it weekly. Even 20 minutes keeps everything under control.
6. Lack of Clear Reporting to the Committee
Treasurers often hold all the detail — but don’t translate it into something useful. That creates:
- Poor decisions (spending money you don’t really have)
- Surprises
- Frustration
Fix:
Keep it simple. Regular updates showing cash position, key income streams, and upcoming costs.
7. Mixing Personal and Club Money
Still happens more than it should — especially when people are “helping out”. It creates:
- Confusion
- Risk
- Questions around transparency
Fix:
Keep everything going through the club account. No exceptions.
8. Relying on One Person to Know Everything
Many cricket clubs depend heavily on one treasurer who “just knows how it all works”. That’s fine — until they step down.
Fix:
Document processes. Make sure someone else can pick it up without starting from scratch.
9. Underestimating the Importance of Sponsorship Tracking
Sponsorship is often agreed informally — then forgotten about. You end up with:
- Missed payments
- Unclear agreements
- Lost revenue opportunities
Fix:
Track sponsorship properly — what’s agreed, what’s invoiced, and what’s been paid.
Final Thought
Running the finances of a cricket club isn’t complicated — but it does require structure. The difference between a stressed treasurer and a confident one usually comes down to:
- Visibility
- Consistency
- The right tools
Get those right, and the role becomes far easier — and far more valuable to the club.