New Milton Cricket Club has secured its future at Fernhill Sports Ground after signing a new 25-year lease with New Milton Town Council.

The agreement, signed by representatives of New Milton Town Council (NMTC) and New Milton Cricket Club (NMCC) in September, will ensure the ground remains the home of the club for the next generation.

The renewal follows considerable work by both parties to reach an agreement, providing long-term certainty for the club and helping safeguard the future of cricket in the town.

NMCC chairman Daniel Wooster paid tribute to those who helped bring the deal to fruition, highlighting the contributions of several people involved in the process.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to members of the NMTC who have worked hard to ensure this was delivered, in particular Graham Flexman, town clerk, and Mark Jefferies, facilities manager,” he said. “I would also like to thank Steve Taylor, the previous club chairman, who started the process.

“But my biggest thanks need to go to our club treasurer, Peter Wakefield, who did most of the legwork and is very much an unsung hero within the club.”