Richard Downes' association with Mill Hill Village Sports Club began nearly four decades ago, playing cricket for the 1st and 2nd XI. Then, in 2020, the Mill Hill local became club president, a role he describes as "a real honour." Now, ahead of the new cricket season and as he enters his final year in the role, Downes talks about the legacy that he hopes to leave behind and why the club is set up for success in the future.

First, tell us about the role of club president: What does the club president do?
The primary role is as a figurehead. The president is also there to listen and give advice to other members of the management committee. The highlight of the year is President’s Day, which usually falls on the last Sunday in August: plenty of food and drink at the president’s expense and a game of cricket between the MHVCC 1st XI and the President’s Select XI.

When did you become club president and what attracted you to this volunteer role?
I became president in 2020 so I am now in my fourth and final year. It was an easy decision to accept the role. It is a real honour – you only have to look at the names of my predecessors.

Tell us all about your association with the club? When did it start and why? Have you had any other roles?
I joined the cricket club in 1987 and became 2nd XI captain in 1990. This proved to be a wonderful season for the club, with the 1st XI winning the league and cup double and the 2nd XI also winning their league.

Having relinquished the 2nd XI captaincy, I became a regular in the 1st XI where we had further success in cup competitions. In 1999, I became the 1st XI captain and despite a poor league campaign we managed to win the League Cup, beating our good friends and rivals North London CC. However, this success merely papered over the cracks and inevitable relegation followed. We had lost too many good players in too short a space of time.

I returned to the 2nd XI where I enjoyed three years of more relaxed cricket before my first retirement. I then became more involved in our Junior section, which had fallen on hard times. Over the following five years we gradually stabilised the section and have subsequently - thanks to the efforts of [Director of Cricket] Phil Smith and others - become a thriving junior section again.

In 2010 I had the bright idea to make a playing comeback. I managed another seven years before finally calling it a day. Since then, I have been the 1st XI umpire seeing at first hand their progression. In addition to my cricketing exploits, I had a highly unsuccessful goalkeeping career for three years at the club!

Tell us in a few sentences what does Mill Hill Village Sports Club mean to you?
The club is all about the people and the lifetime friendships forged. It is also my local club, which I think makes it extra special.

Tell us about the direction of the club. What is the most important issue presently facing MHVSC in 2023? How will the club tackle it?
The club is definitely heading in the right direction. The football section is on the up and the double promotion for 1st & 2nd XI cricket teams in 2022 is the justification for all the hard work put in. Our junior section also continues to expand. The challenge is to keep this up and assist the likes of [Amenities Director] Pete Jaffe and Phil Smith to enable the club to grow. We cannot get complacent and need to keep progressing.

What are your other priorities as club president for 2023?
I am looking forward to seeing how the teams adapt to the higher standards they will be playing. If we can build on last season’s momentum, we will be fine. Hopefully the weather will play ball and we have a cracking season.

More broadly, what is the most important issue presently facing club cricket and/or cricket in the Saracens Herts League, in your view?
I have a couple of concerns regarding league cricket. Firstly, more and more dissent is creeping into the game. A consequence of this is a reluctance for people to umpire. Secondly, there is less socialising after the game. And I don’t think teas will come back.

What are your hopes for the club on the field for the 2023 season?
The key for the 2023 season is for the teams to build on last year’s successes.

How important is it to the club’s future that there’s a thriving youth section? Tell us about the growth in the number of girls coming to play at MHVCC and why this matters.
Our juniors section is absolutely vital. A high percentage of our first team in recent years have progressed through the ranks. Girls and women's cricket is increasing in popularity and the Village needs to be part of this.

You’ll be handing over as president later this year. How strong a position do you leave the club in? What are you most proud of?
The four years have gone very quickly. I am proud and pleased that we have continued to move forward. Like [past club presidents] Ted Kelly and Pete Jaffe before, I think I will be leaving the club in a better place than when I started. I am also confident that our new president will continue in this vein.

Finally, I would like to thank all the people that have contributed to the Club’s recent successes. As ever we need more volunteers.

President's Day takes place on Sunday, August 27 from 11am. For a list of all the key club dates in 2023, click here.