What do cricket clubs say about ACS Cricket Ground Equipment?

In this profile of ACS Cricket Ground Equipment, we’ll explore why they’re such a popular choice for clubs and schools, what the point of difference is and share feedback from customers.

The goal is to make sure that when your cricket club is in need of cricket pitch covers, sight screens, batting cages or other ground accessories, you get a quote from these Yorkshire-based experts.

Let’s face it, when you’re looking to replace sight screens that have been lobbed about in Storm Éowyn, your committee is looking for quality of product, price and customer service.

ACS have happy customers all across the country but if you’re based in Yorkshire, it’s a bit of a no-brainer. Either ask for an ACS quote via their website, call Richard Shaw and his team on 01274 620921 or arrange a visit to their HQ in Calverley.

What do groundskeepers say about ACS?

So, I reached out to about half a dozen ACS customers in researching this article to give you opinions from the professional and recreational game.

It was a risk. You never quite know what folk are going to say. Although I’ve been struck by the strength of support whenever I post about ACS on Cricket Yorkshire’s Facebook page.

Richard Robinson, Head of Grounds at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, told me:

“ACS have supported me for years now, from being a club groundsman right up to being Head of Grounds at Headingley.

I still use their products daily, and they are always ready to come and help us solve any problems we might have. A family company you can trust.”

Meanwhile at Kirkburton Cricket Club, Jonny Smith shared how ACS has designed a solution for their particular geography:

“At Kirkburton, we have an issue with the ground sloping at one end meaning a standard sightscreen would be no use as the bowler’s arm would be above it. We are also a ground that is very open and can get high winds, so we had concerns about screens being too high and falling over.

Richard came and gave us a few options, one being a large 5m high screen with breathable mesh allowing wind to go through. We also ordered a batting cage and all were delivered and built within an hour!”

Ok, let’s talk about three things you likely care about if you need equipment for your cricket ground.

Price

If you’re reading this from a cricket club perspective (or a school), then understandably you’re most interested in how ACS can help your particular ground needs.

If you want something off-the-shelf, bought online and shipped in from overseas then you can likely get it elsewhere.

I’ve been involved in club cricket one way or another for decades now so I understand limited funds and the need to spend wisely. But cheap goods in unforgiving Yorkshire / UK weather = probable replacement needed soon.

Add in whether or not you can access customer service and spare parts if you need to and it may not be quite as great a deal after all.

In contrast, ACS cricket products are probably too good as they last years and years!

🏏 Sightscreens

🏏 Covers

🏏 Cages

🏏 Sheets

Local

Let’s talk briefly about geography and relationships. ACS Cricket Ground Equipment have served international grounds, county grounds, clubs and schools up and down the country.

Naturally, they’re well-known and liked in Yorkshire. But, I’m not going to say support local because you owe them any sense of loyalty. No, consider ACS because that expertise is at most a few hours away, or an email or phone call.

Clubs routinely find a supplier they like, get to know and will use for years. It strikes me that there’s always going to be something to buy, mend or adapt at a cricket ground.

Customisation

No two cricket grounds are the same and while there will be similar challenges to overcome, often as not, your ground will need something bespoke due to drainage, terrain or available space.

ACS are manufacturers first and foremost; they build stuff that is engineered to last and do its job. While my comfort blanket is pixels and word count, theirs is materials, design and practical application.

Literally the nuts and bolts of cricket.

Mick Wood does the ground at Sowerby Bridge Church Institute in the Halifax Cricket League. He told me they needed to reduce the weight of their sliding railed sightscreen at one end of their exposed, oval-shaped ground.

Previously, they were stored indoors for winter but the steel frame and timber batons took at least six people or more to carry into the storage containers.

After a site visit, Richard Shaw at ACS came up with a solution.

Removable plastic slats which reduced the overall weight considerably. Rather than lugging heavy metal back and forth, the sightscreen panels can be taken off at the end of the season to store or if windy conditions are forecast.

Mick’s verdict: “Richard was very accommodating in collecting and delivering back our screens. He is always happy to chat through your issues and offer solutions which are cost effective. I’d say his knowledge and experience is an invaluable resource for clubs like ours and others to call on.”

Get in touch with ACS

Contact Richard Shaw and his team at ACS Cricket Ground Equipment and they’ll be able to arrange a quote.

You can browse products on the ACS website, email [email protected] or call them on 01274 620921.

(🗣️ Mention Cricket Yorkshire if you remember, it all helps ACS know their marketing is working.)

This is Partner Content on behalf of ACS Cricket Equipment – if the mood takes you, click to read Cricket Yorkshire’s policy on partner content.