'Significant governance failure' at Sussex Cricket - report
'Significant governance failure' at Sussex Cricket - report
James Dunn - South East sports reporterSat, August 8, 2026 at 7:31 AM UTC
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A "significant failure of governance" has been identified at Sussex Cricket Club by an external governance review
A new report into Sussex Cricket Club says a "significant failure of governance" led to huge financial losses and points deductions.
An external governance review lays bare the "unrealistic budget" approved by the Sussex Cricket board, which then "failed to take action" as income fell and costs rose.
Sussex reported an operating loss of £1.33m in its 2024-2025 accounts, and was forced into a financial agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Ed Warner, appointed the new chair of the board for Sussex Cricket in July, said: "What I see is an organisation that was over-ambitious, and didn't have the controls in place to spot that."
He added: "A lot of the hard work and turnaround has begun and it's about making sure there's a healthy future for Sussex Cricket."
The review, published on Saturday, highlighted a belief at Sussex Cricket that they "must choose between winning on the pitch at the cost of sustainability, or being sustainable at the cost of languishing at the bottom of Division 2".
Warner said the club wanted to "take our budget and use it in a really smart way which excites members and wins more than it loses".
"We want to beat our budget," he added.
The report also found a lack of skills on the board due to a requirement for 50% of members to be elected from people who have been Sussex Cricket members for three years or more.
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Ed Warner is now chair of the board at Sussex Cricket
In its conclusion, it said Sussex Cricket must now "rebuild confidence by demonstrating that excellence on the pitch and financial sustainability are not competing objectives".
In February, the ECB announced a 12-point deduction in the County Championship and a point in the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup following "sustained operating losses".
They were also forced to submit a three-year business plan showing sustainable year-on-year profits, and impose a salary cap until 2028.
Head coach Paul Farbrace has since announced he would step aside to become director of cricket at the end of this season, with Sussex currently sitting fifth in the County Championship.
Farbrace oversaw their promotion the previous year, bringing in top-level players, but the external review said the losses were not due to the £241,000 overspend on men's professional cricket alone.
Admin expenses such as staff pay (£220,000 over), "grounds expenses" (£205,000 over) and other costs "contributed significantly" to the £836,000 overspend.
They had also overestimated income, with money anticipated from a concert at the ground that never happened, and matchday revenue down.
In April, the commercial team reported hospitality sales of £4,000, compared with a target of £182,000.
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Farbrace to take up director role at Sussex
Sussex given points deduction for financial issues
Sussex Cricket reports operating loss of £1.33m
Related internet links
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Sussex Cricket
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
Source: “AOL Money”
