Information – Cheltenham Cricket Society

March 15, 2026March 17, 2026

Geoff Miller OBE – Pen Portrait

Geoffrey Miller OBE, is a respected figure in English cricket whose influence has spanned playing, leadership, and administration. Born on 08 September 1952 in Chesterfield, England, Miller established himself as a reliable off-spin bowler and a determined lower-order batsman during a professional career that stretched from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s.

Geoff played in 34 Test matches and 25 One Day Internationals for the England cricket team between 1976 and 1984. Nicknamed “Dusty”, he played for Derbyshire from 1973 to 1986, captaining the team from 1979 to 1981 (following the sudden resignation of David Steele after six weeks in the role), and returned in 1990 after playing for Essex between 1987 and 1989. He was an England selector from 2008 to 2013 and was appointed President of Derbyshire C.C.C. in March 2014. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Cup.

Geoff spent the majority of his domestic career with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, where he became one of the county’s most dependable all-round contributors. Known for his accuracy and tactical intelligence, his off-spin bowling often played a crucial role in controlling the pace of matches. His leadership qualities were recognised when he captained Derbyshire for several seasons, earning respect for his calm authority and thoughtful approach to the game.

After retiring from playing, Geoff remained deeply involved in cricket administration. He served as the national selector for England and chaired the selection panel for several years, helping to shape the development of the national side. His ability to assess talent and support emerging players made him a respected voice within the sport.

In recognition of his services to cricket, Geoff was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 honours list. Today, he is widely regarded as a thoughtful ambassador for the game, remembered not only for his contributions on the field but also for his lasting impact on English cricket leadership and development.

Sushil Sidhu – March 2026

March 7, 2026

GCCC Panel 04 Mar 2026, David Graveney OBE, Peter Matthews and Craig Miles

CCS welcomed a distinguished panel from Gloucestershire County Cricket Club for our penultimate speaker meeting of March, providing members with an engaging and informative evening.

The panel featured Gloucestershire legend, CCS Vice President and favourite, David Graveney OBE, who stepped in at short notice for Jon Lewis, alongside Peter Matthews (GCCC Executive Chair) and re-signed accomplished seam bowler Craig Miles.

David, as always proved to be a hugely experienced, articulate and measured speaker. Drawing on his time as chairman of the England Test selectors, he spoke with authority about leadership, decision-making and the importance of clear processes which he has put to good effect at GCCC. He explained how structured systems guide everything at Gloucestershire, from the appointment of a groundsman to the role and responsibilities of a Director of Cricket. His experience as a selector also allowed him to reflect thoughtfully on evaluating players across counties and understanding the wider domestic game.

Peter spoke with confidence and optimism about the future of the club. While cricketing questions were largely directed towards David, Peter provided valuable insight into the commercial realities of running a county cricket club. He discussed the impact of The Hundred, the importance of the Cheltenham Cricket Festival, and the role of domestic and international fixtures in the club’s financial stability. He noted that as few as ten good uninterrupted days of cricket in Cheltenham or Bristol can make a significant difference financially to the club’s season and profitability.

The lively Q&A session provided members with fascinating updates, including how investment from The Hundred has helped GCCC become debt-free and contributed to the funding of approximately £3m of infrastructure improvements at the County Ground, Bristol. These infrastructure projects will provide upgrades and the modernisation of player and officials’ facilities. This will help ensuring Nevil Road remains compliant for major international events and safeguarding its status as an international ground beyond 2031.

Craig added an insightful player’s perspective, speaking candidly about the physical demands, scrutiny and career challenges of professional cricket especially moving between several counties.

Thanks are due as usual to Ian Randall for guiding the discussion with thoughtful questions, helping to create a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening evening for all CCS members.

Paddy Murphy / Sushil Sidhu – Mar 2026

February 25, 2026March 18, 2026

Online Membership Renewal Guidance (2026/27)

Please use this guide to familiarise yourself and as a reference on the sequence/actions required to renew your 2026/27 CCS Membership online.

Please note;

To simplify the process for our members who are currently NOT ONLINE we have already uploaded the information you previously provided us on the paper application form.
For GDPR/Data protection purposes this information is ready for you to review /update if required.
A password will NOT be required for “sign-on” but for security purposes an e:mail with a secure link will be sent to the e:mail address you have already provided us and we use for sending you the monthly newsletters..
“Stripe” payment services are used to securely collect any payments online.
Any payment information you provide is NOT recorded or visible to CCS on our online renewal platform.

If you have any questions or require any assistance on the online renewal of your membership please contact our website manager Sushil by e:mail. Contact details:

webmaster@cheltenhamcricketsociety.co.uk

Online renewal process sequence;

STEP 1 of 6. E:MAIL RENEWAL INVITATION RECEIVED BY 26/03/26