Why JB Furniture supports Ossett Cricket & Athletic Club

We’re delighted to have renewed our sponsorship of Ossett Cricket & Athletic Club (OC&AC). JB Furniture’s relationship with the club goes way back to the 1980s when the company was called J Burdekin Ltd. This blog is about why we are so committed to helping this brilliant organisation carry on its good work.

My early days with OC&AC

The first thing you should know is that I’m a massive cricket fan and have been since I was a child. I was pushed around the OC&AC grounds in my pram and it has been my cricket home ever since. I became a member at age 9 and this is my 40th consecutive playing season.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s I played cricket with the then chairman of OC&AC, Adrian Burdekin. I also babysat their children when I was a teenager. Then, after my A levels, Adrian invited me to join his family business, J Burdekin Ltd., to help install a computer system. He quickly introduced me to all aspects of this vibrant import, wholesale and retail company. He was in fact, coaching and preparing me for a leading role in the business.

Sadly, this came sooner than anyone could have expected because in July 2003, after a buying trip to Thailand, Adrian contracted Legionnaires disease and tragically died later that year. Adrian’s elderly father, Frank, immediately asked me to buy the company and secure its future. With great sadness and trepidation, I accepted the offer, renaming the company JB Furniture to mark both its heritage and a different future.

Now, 20 years later, the company is as strong as ever having navigated various ‘bumps in the road’ (eg countless economic downturns, Brexit, a pandemic, Ukrainian war). And it all started with me playing cricket at OC&AC...

OC&AC and the community

OC&AC is a not-for-profit, community-driven sports, social and events venue, open to everyone 7 days a week. It supports an impressive range of sports: cricket, bowls, football, golf, rounders, rugby and snooker. In so doing, it gives local people a place to gather and socialise. For many, it’s a release from the everyday and whatever troubles they may be facing. We regularly get hundreds of locals coming together over a weekend. Some will be devoted sports fans, others just happy to hang out with a sociable bunch of people.

A very exciting future

The future is looking very exciting indeed for the whole club with membership growing steadily. Thanks to funding from the Football Foundation and our local council, we have been promised funding for a new, full-size artificial football and rugby ground.

Our goals for 2023 continue to balance sport and the whole community. We have a growth strategy to develop the club, including transitioning juniors to seniors (we have a flourishing junior section boasting around 100 members). This includes building the girls’ and womens’ teams. We are committed to creating the right culture both on and off the field, prioritising fun and respect while encouraging a desire and ability to win.

I’ve been a committee member since the 1990’s and I’m delighted to be able to give my time to a club that’s been so instrumental in my own growth and success. Of course, it’s the cricket that matters most to me. I’m very proud of the part I’ve played in our promotion to the Premier League alongside other counties’ elite semi-professional clubs.

JB Furniture’s funds are going towards some important resources for the club, including kit and equipment, coaching and the amazing skills of our club professional, ex Pakistan Test cricketer Junaid Khan. Building and supporting the community is very important to JB so it was an easy decision to sponsor OC&AC.

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Have further questions about OC&AC or our links to the community? Our friendly, knowledgeable team are always on hand to help, just give us a call or visit one of our showrooms in Wakefield or Newcastle.