Redeveloped Essex ground may entice new players (From Echo)

Redeveloped Essex ground may entice new players

3:29pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport By George Thorpe

NEW players could be “enticed” to join Essex once the County Ground redevelopment is complete, according to Paul Grayson.

The club’s head coach believes the better training and playing facilities planned for the stadium in Chelmsford will make the club a more attractive prospect.

Essex signed a contract on Monday with developers MCD and Chelmsford Council for the start of the development in the spring.

Grayson said: “From a cricketing point of view it is good to have up-to-date facilities which can be used all year round.

“Hopefully the redevelopment will entice players to sign for Essex in the future.

“When you look at the facilities at other clubs, such as Warwickshire, they do have better facilities and that will help them get players.

“If we can improve all the facilities, that will help make it easier for us to work with players in the future and get them to us.”

The plans for the ground, which were first drawn up in 2004, will see the capacity increased to 8,000 along with the building of apartment blocks, offices and a multi-storey car park.