By Bill Elliot
The near eight-month close season for followers of Ferguslie Cricket Club is almost over, as they look forward to the commencement of activity on and off the field from Saturday 18 April 2026.
“It’s been a long break, that’s for sure,” commented club president John Docherty, “but it’s been a busy one off the field, as our hard-working members will testify, with plenty of fundraising events being held to raise money for the very best of causes.”
On the night we open (Saturday 18 April 2026) with a challenge match at Meikleriggs against our good friends and deadly rivals Kelburne, we’re also staging a very special dinner in the Paisley Town Hall in memory of club icon Sandy Strang.
It’s easily the biggest event we’ve ever organised in recent times, and every one of the 240 seats has been sold.
Sandy was a wonderful man who brought much joy and entertainment to our club until he sadly passed away a few years ago, but with the help of his long term partner Mary we are hosting this event to remember him, while raising money to build the Sandy Strang Memorial Pavilion at the ground which will be a permanent reminder of a very special person. We’ve got celebrity speakers coming to the event, an auction, a fabulous menu, and the night will be one where there will be lots of smiles and laughter as we remember a unique individual who remains well remembered within the club.”
On the field, we’re renewing our rivalry with Kelburne Cricket Club, in what is sure to be a fierce, but friendly, challenge match to open the season earlier in the day, while the 2nd., X1 also get the chance to flex their muscles as they travel to Mearns to take on the local side.
It’s a busy opening day, but that’s how we like it! We were able to get in weekly indoor practices at Hutcheson’s Grammar School, courtesy of the Meikleriggs Cricket Foundation, and I’m sure that all the close season hours spent there will stand us in good stead now we’ve finally reached Spring. On 19 April, we return the compliment as the 2nd X1 host Mearns at Meikleriggs in another 12 noon start.
Unfortunately we’ll be missing new signing and head coach Michael English from the opening weekend’s activities, as he’s been selected for the Scotland A side to play in a T20 tournament in Jersey, so fans will have to wait another week to see him make his second debut for Ferguslie, but we’ll be comforted in the knowledge that this illustrates the magnitude of capturing of a Scotland international as our player/coach, and we look forward to watching him score runs in the manner which has seen him score 3,000 of them in the last 4 years, while grabbing handfuls of wickets into the bargain.”
President John Docherty said: “The following weekend, we’ve got an interclub game taking place at Meikleriggs on Saturday 25 April, in preparation for the first round of the Scottish Cup the following day, when we travel to Corstorphine in Edinburgh to lock horns with RHC in a tricky looking tie.
We made the semi-finals of the competition last year, only to lose to eventual winners Clydesdale, and this year we’re hoping to improve on that performance and make the final in late summer.”
